On December 9, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention of the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

On this occasion, on December 9, 2017, in the Diliska village of Akhalkalaki region, Khachkars dedicated to the canonized martyrs of the Armenian Genocide were unveiled.

Despite cold winter days in Javakheti, it was not freezing that day and even the weather was helping to consecrate the Khachkars. The souls of innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide sent blessings from heaven above, the weather became warm, the faithful and the local residents were packed inside the Saint Sargis Church and its courtyard.

The Khachkars were inaugurated with the presence of Georgian MP Henzel Mkoyan; Chairman of Akalkalaki Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Nairi Iritsyan; Mayor Yuri Hunanyan; Chairman of Ninotsminda Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Smbat Kyureghyan; Mayor Anivard Mosoyan; Executive Director of the Support to Javakhk Foundation Ashot Hakobyan; Director of the Rafael Javakh Educational and Cultural Center, Zhora Snkhchyan; other high-ranking officials and many faithful.

The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, accompanied by the clergy and deacons.

The guests were greeted with salt and bread by the members of the “Diliska” Dance Group. Owing to the donations of born in Diliska and residing in Russia Nairi Nahatakyan the renovated Saint Sargis Church opened its doors. The Holy Table, basin for baptisms were decorated with frescoes.

Following the rite of the consecration of the Church, on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, two Khachkars were unveiled. One was dedicated to the unknown soldier (donated by Filos Manukyan), and the other was dedicated to the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide (donated by Vanik Mosoyan).

The unveiling and blessing ceremony was conducted by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, accompanied by the clergy.

Pastor of Diliska and nearby villages, Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan greeted the attendees expressed his appreciation to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, expressed his gratitude to the benefactors for the work undertaken and support provided.

Afterwards, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan transmitted the fatherly love and blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians to the residents of the Diliska village. The Primate spoke about the importance of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime for the Armenian nation, and highlighted that this is the first Genocide commemorative monument unveiled in Georgia after the canonization of the Holy Martyrs of 1915. It is a symbol of peace and friendship, a tribute to the memory of the innocent victims on Georgian land.

The Primate expressed his gratitude and satisfaction to the residents of the Diliska village and benefactors, craftsmen and builders, Spartak Karakhanyan, responsible for repairing the Church, and all the honorary members of the community, who brought their dedication and efforts to repair the church.

The Bishop expressed his appreciation to Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan for his devoted service and for organizing the work at a high level. The Primate offered his blessings to Father Tigran’s wife, Liana Mkhitaryan for her active participation in organizational work and support provided.

In his remarks, Georgian MP of Armenian descent, Henzel Mkoyan condemned the crime of Genocide and paid tribute to the innocent victims. He touched upon the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime established by the United Nations General Assembly, and expressed hope that one day the whole world would condemn any crime committed against humanity, particularly the Armenian nation.

After the ceremonies, the benefactors offered the Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice), which was distributed to the faithful in the courtyard of Saint Sargis Church in the Diliska village.

Afterwards, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, accompanied by Rev. Fathers, visited Vardan Nahatakyan Kindergarten #4 in the Diliska village, where the guests were solemnly greeted with salt and bread. The Bishop offered his blessings and appreciation to the preschool’s teaching staff, particularly Principal Manik Gabrielyan, for educating 95 children.

The Primate extended his congratulations to the attendees on the upcoming 2018 New Year and Christmas, and made a donation to support the preschool.