On September 30, a public lecture entitled “Ecclesial Consciousness and Contemporary Challenges” was held at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary. The speaker was Archpriest Shalva Kekelia, a spiritual father at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary.
Father Shalva spoke about the complex challenges facing the modern world, noting that social media, secular culture, pluralism, and the rapid flow of information constantly place young people before new difficulties. Modern people often perceive the Church merely as a tradition, a cultural heritage, or a family custom. In order to prevent faith from becoming merely a form of formal religiosity, it is essential to strengthen ecclesial consciousness among young people and to further develop and deepen their abilities to think, analyze, and evaluate.
“The teachings of the Holy Fathers and the Georgian ecclesiastical tradition constitute a living source that can help a person face contemporary challenges and develop a deeper understanding of their religious, personal, and national identity,” Father Shalva noted, drawing particular attention to the mission of the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary.
The lecture was attended by students, professors and instructors of the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary. An engaging discussion followed, during which questions of particular importance to the students were answered.
It is worth noting that the weekly public lectures and discussions at the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary provide a space where young people can think together, ask questions, receive comprehensive answers, gain valuable knowledge and experience, and develop their skills in reasoning and engaging in dialogue.