On June 26, at the initiative of the Media/Analysis Center of Samtskhe-Javakhk, 76 Armenian pilgrims of Akhaltsikhe paid a visit to Armenia, and their first stop was the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where Spiritual Superintendent of Akhaltsikhe, Friar Hakob Sahakyan organized a meeting with the Catholicos of All Armenians, who gave his blessings to the pilgrims, writes akhaltskha.net.

Catholicos Karekin II emphasized that, during his pontifical visits to Javakhk, he has always seen that the Armenians of Javakhk have a powerful faith, make great efforts to preserve the national identity and unwaveringly love and are devoted to the spiritual center of all Armenians around the world. The Supreme Patriarch stated that the Armenians of Javakhk serve as a strong bridge in the relations between Georgia and Armenia.

The pilgrims of Akhaltsikhe had the opportunity to ask the Catholicos of All Armenians some questions. In particular, Eduard Ayvazyan drew the attention of the Pontiff of All Armenians to the fact that Samtskhe-Javakhk has not had a Vicar appointed by the Armenian Apostolic Church for quite a long time, even though the Armenians of Javakhk have spoken out and continue to speak out about the need for the formation of a separate ecclesiastical diocese. In response, the Catholicos stated that he always discusses these issues with the leader of the Georgian-Armenian Diocese and that the people also have to submit their recommendations to His Holiness in regard to that. The second question of the pilgrims was related to the issue of the St. Nshan Armenian Church of Akhaltsikhe. According to the Supreme Patriarch, the issue is always considered and is in focus.

At Etchmiadzin, the pilgrims from Akhaltsikhe also visited the Museum of the Mother See and the St. Gaiane Church.

After the visit to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, their next stop was Yerablour Military Pantheon.

Afterwards, at 19:00, the Armenians of Akhaltsikhe had a meeting with Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Mkhitar Hayrapetyan and Advisor to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Arsen Kharatyan at the Ministry of Diaspora.

Receiving the guests from Akhaltsikhe, Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan stated that whenever he says ��?Akhaltsikhe’, he remembers the heroic self-defense of Akhaltsikhe in 1918 and the old and valuable Bible located in Tsughrut village. The Minister also stated that the heroic battle of Akhaltsikhe of 1918 is one of the things that the Armenian people take pride in and that the millennial Bible of Tsughrut is a vivid symbol of ��?Armenianness’.

Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan also touched upon the current cultural and educational issues in Georgia and highlighted the fact that those issues will always be in the Ministry’s focus.

Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Arsen Kharatyan stated that the Armenia-Georgia relations are at a high level and that the Armenians of Georgia serve as a bridge in those relations. He also noted that efforts need to be made to raise those relations to a higher level.

According to Arsen Kharatyan, since he has lived in Tbilisi for a long time, he has a good picture of the issues of the Armenians in Georgia and their daily activities and never misses the opportunity to visit Akhaltsikhe.

During the meeting, Spiritual Superintendent of Akhaltsikhe, Friar Hakob Sahakyan, Eduard Ayvazyan and the pilgrims touched upon cultural, educational and religious issues and properly presented the situation in Akhaltsikhe. In their turn, Advisor to the Prime Minister Arsen Kharatyan and RA Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan assured the people that they are well aware of each issue raised during the meeting and that those issues are always in their focus.

During the meeting, Deputy Director of the Support to Javakhk Foundation Samvel Mkoyan presented his organization’s plan to create a network of Armath Engineering Laboratories in Javakhk and particularly mentioned that the organization also has a plan to open such laboratories in Akhaltsikhe in case of appropriate assistance. Mkoyan added that he attaches great importance to the operation of the only Armenian news agency in Akhaltsikhe, especially in the current era of information war, taking into consideration the anti-Armenian activities and propaganda of Turkey and Azerbaijan in Georgia and Javakhk. Taking the opportunity, Mkoyan invited the Minister and the Advisor to the Prime Minister to Javakhk to participate in the events dedicated to Jivani Day to be held on 7 July.

At the end, Eduard Ayvazyan and His Holiness extended thanks to Advisor to the Prime Minister Arsen Kharatyan and RA Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan for hosting such a cordial reception.

After the visit to the Ministry of Diaspora, the pilgrims paid a visit to Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex in the evening.

It should be mentioned that these visits were made possible through financial assistance from businessman and benefactor Andranik Baboyan.