On April 15, 2018, within the framework of the celebration of the Poti's City Day, Grigol Berbichashvili, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Poti and Khobi of the Georgian Orthodox Church, received the delegation of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia in his residence.
Georgian Metropolitan welcomed the delegation of the Armenian Diocese which members were Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Pastor of Armenians in Adjara, Guria and Imereti and the Surb Prkih (Saint Savior) church in Batumi, Michael Avagyan, Head of the Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department of the Armenian Diocese, Zhanna Avetisova, lawyer of the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) church and Seyran Baroyan, cameraman – photographer. Metropolitan Grigol conveyed his blessings to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia with whom they are bound by Christian love and brotherly friendship.
They toured the residence and the Metropolitan of the Georgian Church remembered with warm feelings his visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, proudly showed a Pontifical Panagia, granted him by Karekin II. The Metropolitan touched upon the centuries – old friendship of the Armenian and Georgian peoples and the cooperation of the Churches.
Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan conveyed to Metropolitan congratulations on the occasion of the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the City Day of Poti, brotherly love and best wishes of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
Afterwards, a conversation took place, during which Metropolitan Grigol told about activity, spiritual progress and the challenges of the Diocese of Poti and Khobi. Touching upon the spiritual - educational activity and pastoral service, he drew attention to the Theological – Philosophical University, founded in the Diocese. The University has a status of the state educational institute, but operates under the auspices of the Diocese.
Members of the delegation of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presented the activity of the Diocese, as well as activities of the «Alexander Mantashyants» Center in Batumi and spiritual, educational, cultural and youth centers in the regions, populated by Armenians, the spiritual and educational activities carried out in the abovementioned centers and under the auspices of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
The Metropolitan of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the delegation of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia highly valued the warm relations between the two Dioceses and attached great importance to the close cooperation which should continue and develop.
Expressing deep gratitude for the special reception, Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan and Metropolitan Grigol Berbichashvili exchanged gifts.