Art lovers of Ninotsminda were provided with the opportunity to view the miniature paintings by talented painter, Merited Cultural Figure of the Republic of Armenia, Professor Susanna Mkrtchyan. After Akhalkalaki, on February 17, 2018, painter Susanna Mkrtchyan opened her personal exhibition entitled “From the Annunciation to the Ascension or Great Lent”, at the Rafael Javakh Educational, Cultural, Youth Center in Ninotsminda of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.

More than 20 Bible verse miniature paintings on canvas decorated the walls of the hall, which are a wonderful expression of her boundless talent, as Susanna Mkrtchyan paints in many genres. A beautiful gamma of colors on canvas is based on the life of Jesus Christ – from joyful Christmas tidings to Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, in line with exhibition.

The hall was packed. In attendance were Georgian MP Henzel Mkoyan, Chairman of Ninotsminda Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Smbat Kyureghyan; representatives of the local authorities, artists, many intellectuals and those who appreciate art.

The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, accompanied by the clergy of the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan and Rev. Father Tatev Marukyan, deacons and acolytes.

Susanna Mkrtchyan, who had come from Gyumri, Armenia, was in attendance at the opening of the exhibition.

Director of the Rafael Javakh Educational and Cultural Center in Ninotsminda of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Zhora Snkhchyan offered opening remarks. The speaker emphasized the importance to express spiritual life and make it visible and comprehensible through the miniature paintings, he also spoke about Susanna Mkrtchyan’s approach to the religious episodes, her goal to make Biblical ideas more comprehensible through different elements.

Georgian MP Henzel Mkoyan greeted and congratulated the gathered.

In her remarks, talented painter Susanna Mkrtchyan noted that the miniature paintings are her Great Lenten experience, and her goal was to make the life of Jesus Christ and Jesus's death on the cross to save mankind visible for generations. The gifted painter expressed words of gratitude to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, event planners, the local Pastor and the Rafael Javakh Center for the reception and presenting and appreciating her art in this region inhabited by Armenians.

In his remarks, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia offered his blessings to the attendees; he conveyed to the attendees the fatherly love and warm wishes of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Diocesan Primate appreciated Susana Mkrtchyan for her highly artistic works, and mentioned that through her paintings the skillful artist who has a broader world view is not only able to show beauty, virtue and grandeur, but exhorts to receive spiritual upbringing, to warm the hearts with Bible and to do good deeds. The Diocesan Primate offered his appreciation to the local Spiritual Pastorate, the Cultural Center and the local authorities for their fruitful cooperation for the benefit of the spiritual and cultural life in the region.

Susanna Mkrtchyan’s miniature paintings will be on display at the Rafael Javakh Center in Ninotsminda of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia for the entire month.