The anniversary of the release of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the Khor Virap prison, the International Day of Children's Protection and Anniversary of Satkha Heroic Resistance of 1918 was marked in Javakheti.

On 1 June, at Surb Khach Church in Akhalkalaki a festive liturgy, dedicated to the release of St. Gregory the Illuminator from the Khor Virap prison, was served. Priest Tatev Marukyan conducted the divine service.

Vicar-General of Javakhk Supreme Archimandrite Babken Salbiyan congratulated the believers on the occasion of the holiday and urged to stand firm in the Christian faith.

Children of dance ensemble “Ani” showed a beautiful performance in the yard of Surb Khach Church in Akhalkalalki. The children of Surb Khach Church choir featured musical performance.

The Vicariate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Samtskhe-Javakheti had prepared a pleasant surprise for the kids. Favorite fairy tale characters visited the children and made them feel happy. Despite rainy weather, the yard of Surb Khach Church was crowded with children.

The spiritual leader of Javakheti father Babken addressed the children: "We know from the Bible, what kind of love and warmth our Lord Jesus gave to all children." The Spiritual father especially prayed for children and asked the Lord for good health, pure and prosperous childhood, dignified and conscious life.

The church in Diliska village of Javakheti was also crowded with kids. At the initiative of the spiritual shepherd of the village Tigran Mkhitaryan and under the Godfather of the Cross for the church sponsorship children were given balloons and ice creams, the portraits of the Catholicos of All Armenians were distributed to the audience from the Vicariate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The children of dance ensemble “Ani”, which exists at the Pioneer’s Palace of Gyumri City Hall, with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, showed a wonderful performance near the church. It should be noted that such event, dedicated to the International Day of Children's Protection, was held in Diliska village for the first time.

In Satkha village of Ninotsminda region this day was also celebrated festively. At the village church a mourning liturgy for the innocent victims of Satkha Heroic Resistance of 1918 was held. Priest Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan conducted the liturgy. The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, the Vicar-General of Javakhk, as well as distinguished guests from Armenia and Georgia, attended the liturgy.

At the end of the divine service the Vicar-General of Javakhk addressed the audience in the church with the following words: “Satkha Heroic resistance can be ranked among such battles, as self-defense in Van and Sasun. We are proud of the brave inhabitants of Satkha village, who sacrificed their lives in order to save the lives of many thousands of people. Satkha is one of those small villages in Javakhk, which gloriously resisted the enemy and managed to stop the Turkish military offensive. ”

The holiday celebrations, dedicated to Satkha Heroic Resistance, are conducted with the direct support and assistance of the Sanosyans family.