 It was founded by Bishop Nerses V Ashtaraketsi, Armenian primate of the diocese of Georgia (later Catholicos of All Armenians Nerses V), after whom it was named.In the 19th century Tiflis (Tbilisi) was a major Armenian cultural center with a large Armenian population.Numerous Armenian schools, various publications, drama associations and societies, charities and nonprofit organizations functioned in the city.