On February 14 the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain - day of blessing of the youth. Captain St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his son Martyros and 14 soldiers-companions he was martyred for the sake of Christian faith.

On February 14 in all operating churches of Javakheti the Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain was marked. The feast started with divine service in Surb Khach Church of Akhalkalaki.

It was especially festive day in Surb Khach Church of Akhalkalaki. The "godfather of the cross" in 2014 Petros Grigoryan and his wife Sveta Grigoryan presented the icon of St. Sarkis to the church. Javakheti residents had been waiting a long time for this event, at last young people’s dream came true and the icon of St. Sarkis assumed its place of honor in Surb Khach Church of Akhalkalaki.

The clergy of Javakheti conducted the consecration of the icon, after which the faithful with awe and emotion crossed oneself and kissed the icon.

After the evening service the Vicar-General of Javakhk Supreme Archimandrite Babken Salbiyan congratulated on the Feast of St.Sarkis, he blessed and highly appreciated the donators of the icon.

The Feast of St. Sarkis in Javakheti is a special religious holiday, which unites tens of thousands of young people around the Armenian Church. Traditionally that day young people from nearby and distant villages visit St. Sarkis Church in Diliska village of Akhalkalaki region. On the eve of the feast, in the evening, young people eat salty cookies and relate the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dream to eating of the salty cookie. According to tradition, young people received salty cookies, while in the yard of Surb Khach Church on behalf of the Vicariate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Samtskhe-Javakheti in newlyweds’ honor balloons were launched into the sky. In honor of the feast young people in love give each other sweets and postcards.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in all churches of Javakheti in honor of St. Sarkis the Captain. Priest Tigran Mkhitaryan, Priest Tatev Marukyan, Priest Tadeos Ter-Mkrtchyan and Priest Armash Poghosyan conducted the divine services.