On December 21, the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, through the offices of the Vicar-General of Javakhk Supreme Archimandrite Babken Salbiyan, spiritual shepherd of Marneuli region and nearby villages Priest Movses Ashuryan and the clergy, sanctified Surb Astvatsatsin Church of Shahumyan village. Advisor to the President of GeorgiaVan Baiburtian, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Artists of Georgia Meruzhan Shahumyan, the headmistress of Gary Davtyan Puppet and Culture House Zhana Davtyan, benefactor Michael Arabajyan, businessman Rafael Aghajanyan, Eduard Gasparyan, electedfrom Shahumyan villageto Marneuliregionalcouncil, the schoolmaster of the local public school Artyush Urumyan, the schoolmaster at Red villageschool Hmayak Sayadyan and others attended the sanctification ceremony.

Shahumyan is an Armenian-inhabited urban village in Marneuli region of Georgia. The ancestors of the population emigrated here from Artsakh and other Georgian regions. The village was founded in 1715-20’s and during that time Surb Astvatsatsin (Blessed Virgin Mary) Church was built on the residents’ money. In 1848 the church was fundamentally reconstructed.

For decades the Church had been in devastation and desolation. There was a need for the fundamental reconstruction. The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia initiated, organized and completed the reclamation work.

After the sanctification ceremony the Divine Liturgy was celebrated. Priest Husik Harutyunyan conducted the divine service. The members of choir of Surb Gevorg Church performed sacred songs during the Divine Liturgy.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy the Primate of the Diocese addressed the locals of Shahumyan village; he blessed the audience and gave his opinion. His Grace congratulated the local population on the opening of the church, and expressed his gratitude to benefactors Hrach and Vitaly Manasyan, Michael Arabajyan, responsible for the administrative and economic department of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia Karen Yeritsyan, Priest Husik Harutyunyan; owing to their efforts the church was reconstructed and given to the Armenian population of the village.

There are Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Russians and Greeks besides Armenians in Shahumyan village. Armenians have long dreamed of their own house of prayer, and with the opening of Surb Astvatsatsin Church their dream has finally come true. And now the residents of Shahumyan village have an opportunity to be baptized, to get married, and to live according to the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.