The Armenian community in Georgia continuous the series of celebrations dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the statehood of Armenia and Georgia.
On October 20, 2018, the festive event of the "Gregory of Tatev" ("Grigor Tatevatsi") Sunday school dedicated to the 27th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia and the Jubilees of the statehood of Armenia and Georgia took place in the hall of "Archbishop Karapet Bagratuni" Cultural Center in Akhalkalaki of the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy. The event was held with the blessings of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
In attendance were spiritual servants of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia in Akhalkalaki and nearby villages, officials of the Samtskhe - Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy, students of the center, their parents and numerous guests. The event started with the Lord's Prayer and National Anthem and during the event the artists of the "Zartonk" (Awakening) Dance Ensemble and "Voices of Javakhk" Choir performed patriotic songs and folk dances.
At the conclusion of the event, the Pastor of Diliska and nearby villages Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan blessed the attendees and delivered a speech. The latter conveyed fatherly blessings of the Diocesan Primate and highly appreciated and thanked the students and pedagogues of the center for organizing such a beautiful event.
On the next day, on October 21, the Spiritual Superintendence of Akhaltsikhe and Borjomi of the Samtskhe - Javakheti and Tsalka's General Prelacy of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia organized a festive event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the statehood of two brotherly countries, Armenian and Georgia.
The event was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
Akhaltsikhe and Adigen majoritarian MP Giorgi Kopadze, Mayor of Akhaltsikhe Zaza Melikidze, Deputy Mayor Ruben Karapetyan, Chairman of Social, Medical, Sport and Youth Committee Hambardzum Baboyan, as well as representatives of municipal and community organizations, guests from nearby villages and Akhalkalaki were in attendance.
The Spiritual Superintendant of Akhaltsikhe and Borjomi regions Rev. Father Hakob Sahakyan gave opening remarks.
"Akhaltskha" song and dance ensemble of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator (Surb Grigor Lusavorich) church, operating under the auspices of the (Choreographer and artistic director Veronika Hambaryan), as well as song and dance groups of Akhaltsikhe N3 Armenian School after Hovhannes Tumanyan and N2 Russian School, Tsghaltbila Public school performed about 25 national, patriotic, spiritual songs and folk dances. Individual artists also performed. The event was conducted by Svetlana Hakobyan.
The evening was held at a high level and the event was accepted by the people with great enthusiasm.
At the end of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan delivered speech, congratulating and blessing the attendees. The Diocesan Primate highly appreciated the kind attitude of the Georgian authorities and the local government of Akhaltsikhe towards the maintenance and development of Armenian culture. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia prayed for the peace and coexistence with love of brotherly peoples of Armenia and Georgia.
His Grace valued and blessed the good work done by Rev. Father Hakob, thanked the directorates of the schools and congratulated the participants and guests of the event.
The cultural event also had another purpose. The proceeds from the sold tickets must be provided to the renovation of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator church in Akhaltsikhe.