Long ago an idea to construct and altar of Surb Astvatsatsin Church, built in Shahumyan village of Marneuli region in 1844, came up to a residing in Armenia sculptor Andranik Sargsyan.

So, on the 21^st of June, 2013, the church-loving artist realized and old dream. A perfect sculpture, carved from pink

Armenian tuff and marble – the magnificent Sacred Table was placed on the altar by equally skilled hands. Spiritual shepherd of the Armenian communities in Marneuli region Priest Movses Ashuryan and hard-working young people of the community helped and supported the sculptor in this matter.

In connection with this joyous occasion the Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan together with the representatives of the residence of the Diocese and the “Hayartun” Center arrived from Tbilisi to the village, and blessed the sculptor Andranik Sargsyan.

The excitement in the community was notable. Many people in the early morning went to the church to see the beautiful altar with a stunning image of the Holy Virgin Mary.

The Head of the Diocese accompanied by a retinue on the same day visited another temple, which in the Soviet era was turned into a house of culture. Alas, the temple is in poor condition. Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan along with the clergy and secular people prayed that with God's blessing and support of the community the restoration works at Surb Astvatsatsin Church would be successfully completed, and one day the old St. Mesrop Mashtots Church, built in the 19th century and converted into a house of culture, would open its doors to the believers.

The Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia also expresses its gratitude to Georgian authorities for their support and assistance in the settlement of legal issues related to the transfer of the church altar in Georgia.