October 12, 2018 became truly a historical day. Srbots Vardanants church in the village of Dilif, Ninotsminda, built in 1866, was re-consecrated by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.
In attendance were Members of Georgian Parliament Henzel Mkoyan and Giorgi Khatidze, Mayor of Ninotsminda Anivard Mosoyan, Chairman of Ninotsminda Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Smbat Kyureghyan, Mayor of Akhalkalaki Yurik Unanyan, Chairman of Akhalkalaki Municipality Assembly (Sakrebulo) Nairi Iritsyan, as well as representatives of the local authorities, guests and pilgrims from different regions of Armenia, Georgia and Russian Federation. The residents of Dilif welcomed the Diocesan Primate with bread and salt.
In accordance with the Armenian Church consecration order, the Opening of the Doors Service (Drnbatsek) of the church was offered under the leadership of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, accompanied by Rev. Father Tigran Mkhitaryan, Pastor of Saint Sargis church in Diliska and Rev. Father Gevorg Asatryan, Pastor of Saint Karapet church in Gandza. “The Opening of the Doors Service symbolizes the opening of the Doors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Today, after the consecration, this temple becomes the house of God. With the Opening of the Doors Service and re – consecration the blessings of God will descend on this temple”, said the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
The Holy Altar, Baptismal Font and 16 columns were blessed with Holy Chrism, pictures in the church turned into icons. The first Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church was celebrated by Rev. Father Armash Poghosyan, Pastor of Saint Sargis church in Ninotsminda and churches of the region. The faithful partook of Confession and took Holy Communion.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace offered his blessings to the attendees and highly appreciated the locals, especially the elderly who are faithful to religion and love their nation and who in the person of Robert Makaryan, Levon Kirakosyan and Hayk Manvelyan initiated, organized and coordinated the renovation of the church in 2017 and did it with pride and persistence of residents of Mush, united all the efforts of the village. The benefactors Marat Grigoryan, Jivan Muradyan, Ararat Sarukhanyan, Navrik Arakelyan and others were engaged in the process and with their support fulfilled the dream of residents of Dilif village – to see renovated and operating the church of their grandfathers.  The Diocesan Primate conveyed a Letter of Blessings and souvenir to the benefactors and the organizers of this God – pleasing initiative.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia awarded Artyom Galoyan, tbir (clerk) of the Holy Cross (Surb Khach) church in Akhalkalaki with the right to wear an orarion.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, in the church yard, the consecration of the cross-stone (khachkar) dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Sardarapat heroic battle and the restoration of the Armenian statehood took place. The cross-stone was built by local resident Alik Manvelyan’s donation.
After the consecration of the church, cross-stone and the Divine Liturgy, a concert took place in the church yard, organized by the efforts of Ninotsminda Cultural House. At the end of the historical day, in accordance with the tradition, the blessed Matagh (Thanksgiving Animal Sacrifice) was offered to the faithful. Thus, Srbots Vardanants church in the village of Dilif became the 60th consecrated church of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the day of the consecration became truly festive for the whole community.
The village of Dilif of Ninotsminda municipality is located at the foothills of the Gyoz Dagh and it seems that it controls the peace of Javakhk, surrounding springs and green hills. The historical name of the village was Dlivik. The ancestors of the locals migrated from Mush province in 1829. In the place of the medieval Saint Vardan ancient chapel Srbots Vardanants church was built by the efforts of the locals.
The total population of Dilif is more than 1500 people. The main occupation is beef cattle breeding and farming. The places of pilgrimage in the village are Saint Minas, Tevatoros, Saint of Davo, Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Many saints and religious books are kept in the homes of the locals. All the residents are Armenians and speak the Khnus dialect.