On December 7, 2017, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia Ruben Sadoyan; and the entire staff of the Armenian embassy visited the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Avlabari neighborhood and paid tribute to the victims of disastrous earthquake in the northern region of the Armenian Republic.

Rev. Father Manuk Zeynalyan performed a requiem mass with the participation of the clergy. Father Manuk referred to the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in the northern region of the Armenian Republic, highly appreciated the response and the assistance provided by the different countries to the Armenian nation, which got into trouble, emphasized the help, received from the Christian neighbor country of Georgia and Georgian nation, and mentioned that Armenians always remember that provided assistance with gratitude.

Father Manuk also congratulated Mr. Sadoyan on the occasion of his appointment as Ambassador of Armenia to Georgia and appreciated him for paying tribute to the victims of earthquake.

Following the church services, Mr. Sadoyan accompanied by Father Manuk and the officials of the Diocesan Headquarters toured the Hayartun Cultural and Educational Center, had a look at the lessons held at the preschool and the creative groups, held talks with the teachers.

The newly appointed Ambassador made the proposal that the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the Embassy of Armenia to Georgia should jointly implement projects, which will help to properly represent Armenia and the Georgian-Armenian community in Georgia.

On December 7, RA Consul General in Batumi, Yegishe Sargsyan, and his wife attended a requiem mass for the peace of souls of the victims of earthquake at the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior) in Batumi. Following the mass, the Alexander Mantashev Center in Batumi hosted a commemorative event and a screening of a film.

Chairman of Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Nairi Iritsyan; and Mayor Yuri Hunanyan attended the requiem mass in the Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church in Akhalkalaki.

Time heals all wounds, but the Armenian person continues to pray for the peace of souls of the victims and lights a candles in their memory.

The 1988 Armenian earthquake occurred in the northern region of Armenia on December 7. The strength in the epicenter was 10 magnitudes. The earthquake affected 40 % of the territory of Armenia including a population of 1 million. 21 cities and districts, 342 villages suffered heavy damage. 514 000 people were rendered homeless. 20 000 people received injuries of different degrees. 17 % of the whole population fund was ruined, 170 industrial enterprises stopped working, villages and the agricultural-industrial complex, architectural, historical, art monuments suffered; 917 educational institutions were destroyed.