Vera Armenian cemetery in Tiflis, modern Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia, was founded in 1836. A few years later, the construction of a church began on the territory of this cemetery. Vera Armenian Church of the Holy Cross - Surb Khach was built in 1844 at the expense of Gavriil Tamamshev.
In the newspaper "Caucasus", an article was published by the mayor of Tiflis, Hovhannes Izmirov, who was present at the laying of the church. Here is what he wrote: "It is comforting to see that the Tiflis Armenians constantly retain a sense of religiousness and charity... On July 8, at 8 o'clock in the morning, the foundation of the Armenian church was laid at the Armenian cemetery behind the Moscow outpost, which, as they say, will be in the name of St. Peter. Titular Councilor Gavriil Ivanovich Tamamshev, the perpetrator of this laudable deed, undertook to build it, with all the decoration, at his own expense. Honorable and non-honorable persons of the city of Tiflis witnessed the ceremony taking place there. The service was conducted by the local Diocesan Archbishop Karapet, together with Archbishop Minas and other Armenian clergy. The general participation was expressed on the faces of all. Sixteen people, on trays covered with white linen, held in their hands 16 stones that were supposed to serve as strongholds of the church; twelve of them were in the name of 12 Apostles, and four in the name of 4 Evangelists. Among stones stood water and wine, symbols of the sacrament: Holy Baptism and Communion. His Eminence, having performed a prayer according to the rites of the church, washed the stones with these and consecrated all four sides of the foundation. After this, with the choir of priests, the holy myrrh was brought, with which those stones were anointed crosswise. The reverence with which His Eminence performed this entire rite involuntarily penetrated into the hearts of those present, at least I was touched to the depths of my soul. After this, taking a pickaxe, he dug around the foundation on each side of 4 holes and put those stones wrapped in a canvas-shroud there, with proper prayers for every Apostle and Evangelist. At the end of the ceremony, the clergy and those present were invited there for an excellently prepared breakfast. At the end of breakfast, champagne was served and the first toast was proclaimed to the health of the builder of the temple Gavriil Ivanovich Tamamshev. In honor of this celebration, His Eminence delivered a speech in which he praised the pious deed of Tamamshev. In explaining the degree of spiritual importance, he gave a brief overview of the origin of the church and who first erected the temple of God; reminded us all of the religious monuments and exploits of our ancestors, and finally, wished all of us to apply, on our part, to the best of our ability, care for such matters ...
The plan for the construction of the church was received from St. Petersburg. This church has seven fathoms* with one arshin** in length, five fathoms* with one arshin** in width and three and a half fathoms* in height to the dome, with a dome about six fathoms*. It will be small but beautiful. Its construction, judging by the plan and as people in the know assure, will cost as much as 10 tons of silver rubles. The need for the church in the cemetery has always been felt here. It would be desirable to have with church a several rooms for ruinous funeral dinners in the city." - Mayor of Tiflis Hovhannes Izmirov.

Many famous citizens of Tiflis were buried in the Vera Armenian cemetery. The Mayor of Tiflis, General Yeremia Artsruni, the writer and teacher Harutyun Tumanyan, the landowner Natalia Shkhoyan, the well-known businessman, tobacco industrialist and manufacturer Mikhail Bozarchyants, the linguist, teacher and Armenologist Shahan Dzhrpetyan, the first zincographer of Tiflis Sarkis Soghomonyan, the architect Gavriil Ter-Mikelov, doctor Nikoghayos Khudadian are buried at the Vera Armenian cemetery.
The Vera Armenian cemetery was also known for its family tombs of Ananov, Enikolopov, Tsurinov, Kamoyan, Babanasov, Avan Yuzbashyan, Argutyan ...
The graves of many famous Armenians are left today without tombstones.
Of course, among the Tbilisi Armenians there are true patriots and simply brave people who do not intend to tolerate this barbarism and are ready to knock on all doors to put an end to such actions. At least the grave of Tigran Nazaryan must be saved. He was a public figure, editor, publicist and writer, who published the magazines "Akhpyur", "Taraz", "Van-Tosp", "Morning of the Caucasus". He helped many Armenians who escaped from the Genocide massacres of 1915-1918 and settled in Tiflis. He founded a workshop for women. Tigran Nazaryan was born in 1858 in Armenian city of Shushi, where he founded a library at the age of 21. He died in 1926.
The newspaper "Martakoch", today's "Georgia", in its issue #213 of September 18, 1926 wrote: "... The deceased Tigran Nazaryan was buried next to his mother Zari Badzhi, whom he loved and respected infinitely. The funeral was very modest ... "
In 1920, the cemetery was officially considered closed. After 70 years, the cemetery was reopened, however, the condition of the old tombstones is in a very deplorable state and the process of their destruction continues with the connivance of the local authorities, and more often with their consent.
In 1992, the Armenian Church of Surb Khach - Holy Cross, was converted into the Georgian Orthodox and became known as the Church of St. Panteleimon.
Many graves of the prominent Armenian residents of Tiflis are standing without tombstones. Plots with graves are sold and the new owners are offered an option of doing whatever they decide with the buried in these plots human remains as well as with the tombstones.
Source - Razmik Muradyan, Aida Babadjanova
Translation and adaptation - Tati Anderson
* Fathom or Sazhen is equal 7 feet or 2,1336 meters
** Arshin is equal 1/3 of Fathom or Sazhen which is 28 inches or 0,7112 meters