From June 7^th the head of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia Bishop VazgenMirzakhanyan started his 3-day visit to Batumi.

In the morning of June 7^thMirzakhanyan gave his blessings to Batumi’s “St. MesropMashtots” and Kobuleti’s “Vramshapuh” one-day Armenian language school students, who were passing interim and final exams at the St. Savoir Armenian apostolic church. The head of the diocese praised the local educational department staff for their hard work and suggested opening a one-day Armenian language program at the school of Ozurgeti (former Makharadze) region starting next year.

At noon, accompanied by the priest of St. Savoir Armenian Church of Batumi Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Bishop Mirzakhanyan held a meeting with young members of the Armenian community, who are also part of chorus “Aghbyur” and “Heghnar” dance group under the auspices of the church. Young community members received blessings, words of encouragement and commandments from the spiritual leader.

In the evening Bishop VazgenMirzakhanyan joined Armenia’s Consul General in Adjara, Guria and Imeretia Aram Grigoryan in celebrating 100 anniversary of the annual Sayat-Nova “Rose Festival” at Batumi’s school N9, where with Sayat-Nova’s carols and poetry the environment was filled with warmth and love throughout the hours long event. Later that night the head of the diocese met with members of St. Savoir church’s Perish Council, where ongoing events and issues concerning the church were discussed.

On Sunday, June 8^th, on the day of St. Pentecostal celebration Bishop Mirzakhanyan delivered a liturgy at St. Savior church of Batumi, where together with churchgoing community Consul General Aram Grigoryan and Consulate’s staff members were also present. The liturgy was concluded by a sermon from the Bishop, where he called for loyalty to the Christian belief, love to the language and preservation of the traditions.

In the evening, Mirzakhanyan was at Batumi’s “Edem” hall, where Armenian Union of Adjara, “Georgia is our home” NGO and Armenian General Consulate in Adjara, Guria and Imeretia under the auspices of St. Savior church of Batumi jointly organized special celebration dedicated to the restoration of statehood in Armenia and Georgia. The head of the diocese spoke highly of the activities undertaken by Consul General and spiritual organizations of Adjara urging them to continue their work with renewed forces and energy. Mirzakhanyan also presented special gifts - miniatures brought from Mother See of Holy Echmiatsin.

On the morning of June 9^th the head of the diocese delivered a morning ministry at St. Savoir Armenian Church of Batumi, after which Bishop Mirzakhanyan returned to Tbilisi.

During his visit the diocese’s head of educational department YevgeniaMarkosyan, administrative and economic officer Karen Yeritsyan and spiritual adviser of “Hayartun” educational and cultural center deacon GevorgAntonyan accompanied the head of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.