The Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, and his son Martyros is celebrated with special love at the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church in Georgia. This year the Feast of Captain St. Sarkis, one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation, was celebrated on February 15. On February 14 Evening Service (Nakhatonak) on the night preceding the Feast Day was held in Surb Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi. Procession of Armenian pilgrims with icon of St. Sarkis and church banners, accompanied by sacristan of the church Priest Manuk Zeynalyan and other clergy, headed to Kharpukh, the old district of Tbilisi, where the ruins of St. Sarkis Chapel still remain.

A crowded procession of pilgrims under the hymns passed through the central part of the city, walked across the Metekhi Bridge and approached the Cathedral of Surb Gevorg, which is closed due to reconstruction, prayed for successful completion of work and continued on their way to the chapel.

Under the old chapel ruins the faithful lit candles, and Priest Manuk Zeynalyan conducted a divine service.

Pilgrims procession came back to Surb Etchmiadzin Church and with other hundreds of faithful, who joined them, attended Evening Service (Nakhatonak) on the night preceding the Feast Day, which was celebrated by the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan. During the divine service the Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia read the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, by which the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain and his soldiers-companions is proclaimed day of blessing of the youth.

His Grace, speaking about Captain St. Sarkis, his deeds and martyrdom for the sake of Christian faith, added that Captain St. Sarkis is the patron saint of love and youth. The Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain is customary to celebrate not only with religious ceremonies and prayers, but also according to folk customs, and that is our cherished tradition. His Grace wished that for all youth, who lit candles and prayed with hopes and dreams of a brighter future, St. Sarkis the Captain would be intercessor before God and bless all youth.

At the end of the evening service young people received sanctified salty cookies, to eating of which the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dream is related.

On February 15, on the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain the Divine Liturgy under the leadership of the Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan was celebrated in Surb Etchmiadzin Church of Avlabari district in Tbilisi.

The Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain was solemnly celebrated in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Batumi and all other churches of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia.