We, the graduates of the years
2009-2014 would like to express our opinion in connection with the
events directed against the Church and against the Theological
Academy.
We should primarily emphasize
that all of us are thankful to God for His great gift, which is to
be the student of the Theological Academy. This is the educational
institution where many clergymen have been educated, among them are
our spiritual fathers who are devotedly serving to God in our
Church and it is the fruit of their work that in all the corners of
our country the number of people is increasing among the
communities of our churches. We, too, entered this institution with
their blessings. It is our wish to express our gratitude to them,
especially, in these very difficult times.
While being at the Academy,
during our studies we saw an important improvement, an unarguable
fact of paramount importance – our educational institution was
granted authorization and was recognized not only in our country
but also throughout the world.
Father Giorgi Zviadadze,
personally, taught us two subjects, his part is significant in our
spiritual and intellectual edification. We remember his words: When
you graduate from the Academy and return to your respective
regions, your will enlighten the people there and therefore you
will be hated by the devil”. The fallen power always fought and
still fights precisely against this enlightenment and the main
target for him are not only those whose alma mater is this
institution but, primarily, the place where the students acquire
knowledge, which is the crucible of the future clergy. This place
is where people are endowed with the light of Christ and where they
learn the salvific Teaching related to the salvation of innumerable
human beings.
The animation of this fight is
connected with the fact that the Academy has been making
improvements year by year, the Doctoral Department was founded, new
publications were published, conferences are held, and literary
works are translated. The academic process of teaching is
permanently becoming more and more successful. We cannot overlook
all of this and remain ungrateful to the administration and the
teachers and professors of the Academy. With special love and
respect toward some of them, here we mention their names: Mr.
Edisher Chelidze, Archpriest Besarion Tsintsadze, Archpriest Maxim
Chanturia, Archpriest Michael Galdava, Archpriest Shalva Kekelia,
Mr. Griver Parulava, Mr. Revaz Siradze, Mrs. Nino Melikishvili,
Mrs. Rusudan Tsikvadze, Giorgi Gvasalia, Irakli Orzhonia, Giorgi
Todua, Giorgi Julakhidze, Father Irakli Akhaladze, who then was our
Dean, and many others. These people applied all their efforts
without sparing themselves to our education and now they strive for
the advancement of the Academy, for the formation of every student
as a well-bred young person.
We remember the amazing words
spoken by His Holiness: “I address every one of you, particularly
the young people, preserve our originality, our traditional
Christian way of life. Remember, the main battle with the evil
power is won. The Lord says: ‘…be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.’ (John 16, 33) So, fight in like manner our ancestors
did, in order to defend your portion of Georgia in yourself and
around you. Today, this battle is your Didgory, your Basiani”. This
humble letter sent from us to the Theological Academy is the echo
of these words.
Glory and thanks to God for
all.
We extend our gratitude to His
Holiness for his love and his great heartedness and his merit
before our nation. May God grant many more years of life to our
beloved Patriarch.
We express our deep thankfulness
to our Rector, Father Giorgi Zviadadze for his devotion and great
love for the Church and for the Academy.
We also thank every person who
have contributed to the advancement of Tbilisi Theological Academy
and Seminary onto a very high academic level.
Cordially Yours,
The Graduates of the years 2009-2014
Source:
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