With the invitation of the Sukhumi State University, the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the agreement with the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Joachim of Bursa and with the participation of the dean of the Georgian parish of Constantinople, Fr. Ilia Jinjolava, Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, visited Georgia.
The main reason for going to Georgia was the presentation of the Georgian translation of the monographic work of Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Throne, Fr. John Chryssavgis, the biographical book of the Ecumenical Patriarch “Bartholomew: Apostle and Visionary”. The mentioned book was published by “Intellect” publishing house with the idea of Giorgi Fareshishvili and Fr. Ilia, with the support of Zurab Khonelidze, Rector of Sukhumi University. Tamar Goguadze worked on the translation of the book, and Arch. Ilia Jinjolava, Nato Gordeladze and Martha Kasradze for editing.
The presentation, which was held in the assembly hall of the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia, was attended by numerous guests. Among them were representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the Holy Synod of Georgia, hierarchs archbishop Zenon and bishop Melchisedek, priests representing the Patriarchate of Georgia, Reverend Giuseppe Pazzoto, Catholic Apostolic Administrator in Georgia, professors and others.
As part of the visit, a reception was held at Sukhumi State University, where the guests from Constantinople were welcomed with great honor. Meeting and discussions were held with the university senate and academic staff.
Subsequently, under the organization of the rector of the university, Mr. Zurab Khonelidze, the members of the delegation visited the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, where they held a meeting with the president of the academy Roin Metreveli and academicians.
The members of the delegation informed the President of the Academy of Scientists about the international symposium planned under the patronage of the Ecumenical Patriarch and offered the Academy to participate in it.
Within the mentioned visit, at the invitation of Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak (Akhtala)-Tashir, the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate visited the historical Temple in Dmanisi, where the head of the delegation, Metropolitan Joachim, was received with high priestly honor.
During the visit, the delegation visited the churches and monasteries of Georgia, including the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral, Jvari Monastery, Samtavro, Antioch, Svetitskhoveki, Sion and others. It should be noted that representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia met and entertained the delegation practically everywhere.
Sukhumi State University was the main organizer and host of the visit of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Personally, the rector, Mr. Zurab Khonelidze, and the visiting professor of the university, Mr. Giorgi Fareshishvili, did not leave the guests aside and provided them with truly Georgian hospitality.
