On the evening of January 5, 2019, the Eve of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a Candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated in all the operating churches of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia.
The Armenian churches in Tbilisi, Batumi and Javakheti were crowded; the faithful came to reflect on the wonderment of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of Jesus Christ.
The Candelight Divine Liturgy in Saint Etchmiadzin church in Tbilisi was attended by the Member of Parliament Davit Chichinadze, Armenian intellectuals, members of the Armenian community in Tbilisi, guests from Armenia.
Before the Divine Liturgy, an Evening Service was held and different Bible passages were read. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan celebrated a Candlelight Divine Liturgy.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan in his sermon touched upon the mystery of the Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany as a gift for humanity to get rid of sins, to heal their pain, to become hope and trust, to lead them to Heaven.
The Primate exhorted the faithful to pray and ask Almighty God to make the light of His wisdom shine n their minds, hearts and lives, so that their souls would transform into the manger of Bethlehem, where the Light can shine and Love can dwell, glorifying in their life and faith.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Diocesan Primate lit the life-giving candle which symbolizes the Divine Light, the blessing of church. That light was more than the sun, which led the magi to the true Light, to the newborn Jesus Christ. The light symbolizing Jesus Christ was offered to the faithful who attended the Divine Liturgy. They took lit candles home the divine light and glad tidings of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord.
After the Divine Liturgy, the clergymen moved to the “Hayartun” residence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, where Home-Blessing Service was offered.
The previous days of two major feasts (there are five major feasts which the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrates) – Feast of Holy Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas) and Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Easter) – called Candlelight (chragaluyts). Candlelight or Chragaluyts (“chrag” – light and “luyts” – lighting) means to light a candle.