Feast of Vartan the Captain celebrated at Armenian Diocese in Georgia

On February 12, 2026, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and his 1036 Companions.

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan at the Cathedral of Saint George in Tbilisi. The celebrant and the clergy offered prayers in the Altar of the cathedral bearing the name of the Holy Vardanants.

In his sermon appropriate to the day, the celebrant spoke about the heroic commanders and their companions, who rose as a nation in struggle for the sake of faith and homeland. He encouraged the faithful to be strengthened by the memory of the immortal heroes and to be inspired by their patriotism, their devotion to the faith, and their steadfast loyalty. In his sermon, the celebrant also commemorated the heroes of the Battle of Avarayr, who fell in defense of the homeland and were immortalized through their moral victory.

During the Divine Liturgy, a Response of Souls Service was offered with the participation of clergy.

The Feast day of St. Vartan the Captain and Companions is also celebrated as the Naming Day of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. On that occasion, a Pontifical Prayer was offered for the steadfastness and glory of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and long life and productive spiritual service of the Supreme Patriarch.

The Feast of St. Vartan the Captain and His Companions was celebrated with Divine Liturgies at the churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.