On November 10, the Jigrashen village of Ninotsminda region celebrated the first anniversary of the Holy Archangels Armenian Church that was destroyed years ago, but was rebuilt and consecrated again last year.

The mass was served by spiritual pastor of the region, Father, Priest Armash Poghosyan. The mass was attended by Vicar of the General Prelacy of Javakhk, Archimandrite Babgen Salbiyan, representatives of local self-government bodies, as well as the faithful and pilgrims from different Armenian villages of the region. The Holy Archangels Armenian Church was rebuilt with a donation from the Brothers Kspoyan and was consecrated by Prelate of the Georgian-Armenian Diocese, Father, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and Vicar of Javakhk, Archimandrite Babgen Salbiyan exactly a year ago.

Several faithful Armenians and pilgrims had come to participate in the Divine and eternal Liturgy served by the Vicar of the Prelacy of Javakhk and spiritual pastor of Ninotsminda and the nearby villages, Father, Priest Armash. In his speech, the vicar mentioned that the purpose of this was to make sure that the communities have a strong awareness and show active participation in cultural life.

“We see that the people in these communities are ‘culturally passive’ and passive in religious practices. Times have changed, and the devoted individuals of the village are doing everything possible to make sure that the church remains standing and attracts the faithful,” the Vicar of Javakhk mentioned.

Archimandrite Babgen Salbiyan gave his blessing, expressed his good wishes and praised the kind and pro-national act of Brothers Arsen, Ararat and Armen Kspoyan. As a token of appreciation of their work, benefactor of the Holy Archangels Church of Jigrashen Arsen Kspoyan received Grigor Narekatsi’s book “Book of Tragedies” and an icon as gifts.

The event included performances of patriotic songs and national dances by the choir and dance group of Ninotsminda at the local culture home.

Press divan of the Vicariate of the General Prelacy of Javakhk