On May 22, 2018, the pilgrims from the Marmarashen village, Masis (the Araratian Pontifical Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church), led by Pastor Rev. Father Ghukas Balayan visited the Saint Etchmiadzin church of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
In the ancient and powerful church, under the leadership of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Rev. Father Ghukas Balayan celebrated Divine Liturgy of Oath.
During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant properly preached about the mystery of the day – about the commemoration of the Armenian Army and commanders deceased in 1918, in the heroic battle of Sardarapat for the sake of the Faith and Motherland.
Rev. Father congratulated the attendees on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, asked Heaven the mercy and blessings of the Martyrs for the peace and creative activity of Armenia, Artsakh, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and Armenians all over the world. He encouraged the attendees to maintain the statehood of the Republic of Armenia, dedicate their activities to the progress and prosperity of our Motherland as did our heroic ancestors. Rev. Father Ghukas expressed gratitude to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, who kindly hosted the pilgrims and offered his blessings to the guests.
The faithful from Marmarashen village lit candles and prayed at the Saint Etchmiadzin church in Avlabari.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia received the pilgrims arrived from the Araratian Pontifical Diocese. During the conversation, His Grace presented the guidelines of activities of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, which are implementing in Tbilisi, Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Autonomous Republic of Adjara. His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan also spoke about the role of the first republics in the histories of Armenia and Georgia and highly valued the implementation of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of both republics.
The hospitality for pilgrims was organized by the Headquarters of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and faithful of the Armenian community in Tbilisi.