A khachkar(cross-stone) commemorating victims of the Armenian Genocide was solemnly consecrated in the yard of Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi on April 21.

The installation of the Khachkar was initiated by the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, which was donated by residing in Petersburg Hrachya Poghosyan. This is the first Khachkar in Tbilisi. The Khachkar was created in Armenia by Varazdat Hambardzumyan and is identical to one among thousands of Old Jugha Khachkars destroyed by Azeri soldiers.

Armenia's Ambassador to Georgia Hovhannes Manukyan, Georgian MP Ruslan Poghosian, General Consul of the Republic of Armenia to Adjara, Guria and Imereti Aram Grigoryan, cultural figures, clergy, guests from Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo-Kartli, the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, different regions of the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation attended the solemn ceremony. Sponsor Hrachya Poghosyan with his family and relatives attended the sanctification, Armenian Diocese reported.

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 and the clergy conducted a requiem service, after which the sanctification of the Khachkar took place.

On behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia, sponsor Poghosyan’s family and Armenians of St. Petersburg wreathes were laid at the Khachkar. The people gathered in the yard of the church and the vicinity placed flowers at the Armenian Khachkar pedestal.

After that under the auspices of the RA Ministry of Diaspora a concert of classical music featuring “Zangakner”(Chimes) Ensemble from Yerevan, artistic director Shahen Keshishian, was given in the conference hall of Courtyard Marriott Hotel.