The event was attended by the
President of Georgia, Her Excellency, Mrs. Salome Zurabishvili; the
Speaker of the Parliament, His Excellency, Mr. Archil Talakvadze,
His Eminence Shio, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and
Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotskhu, Australia and New Zealand;
His Eminence Theodor, Vicar of the Patriarch and Metropolitan of
Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti; His Eminence Nikoloz, Metropolitan of
Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo and Kari; His Grace, Iakob, Archbishop of
Bodbe. The guests of the event also were Monsignor Jose Avelino
Bettencourt, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of
the Vatican to Georgia; Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze, President of the
National Academy of Sciences of Georgia; Mr. Roin Metreveli,
Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia; Mr.
Ramaz Khurodze, Academician-Secretary of the National Academy of
Sciences of Georgia; Mrs. Nunu Mitskevich, Deputy Minister of
Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia; Mr. Zaza
Maruashvili, Head of the Department of Science and
Technologies of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and
Sports of Georgia; the rectors of higher educational institutions
of Georgia, members of the Scientific Council of Tbilisi
Theological Academy and Seminary, professors and teachers of this
school and other guests.
The opening speech was given by
the Rector of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary,
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze. He noted that the contribution of
the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia to the Orthodox Church of
Georgia and to this country bears epochal significance.
The Protopresbyter recalled that
the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, from the very day
of his enthronement, had set a goal to obtain a verification of the
recognition and acknowledgement of the Georgian Orthodox Church,
which would be a confirmation of her ancient autocephaly. He was
also the person who founded Tbilisi Theological Academy as a higher
school of theology. Without this school, it would be beyond any
possibility to revive and develop the science of theology in
Georgia. The Patriarch of Georgia himself was the Rector of this
educational institution for several years. The Protopresbyter noted
that owing to the highest authority of the Patriarch, a
Dissertation Council for Orthodox Theology was established at
Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary, an unprecedented event in
the history of Georgia. With the blessing of the Patriarch, the
above-mentioned institution signed an agreement on scientific
cooperation with various leading higher educational institutions of
the world. By awarding the title of Honorary Doctor, Tbilisi
Theological Academy and Seminary expresses its deepest gratitude
and deference to the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia for his
meritorious service.
At the conclusion of his speech,
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze introduced the text of the honorary
doctorate diploma, which was developed by the Scientific Council of
the school:
“Tbilisi Theological Academy and
Seminary of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia
awards His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of
All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, Metropolitan of
Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazeti, the title of Honorary
Doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) for his outstanding contribution
to the worldwide recognition of the autocephaly of the Orthodox
Church of Georgia, revival of the Church, development of
theological education and sciences, establishment of the higher
theological school – Tbilisi Theological Academy, spiritual
strengthening and unification of the Georgian nation.”
Further, Protopresbyter Giorgi
Zviadadze handed over the diploma and scroll to the Patriarch,
where the above-mentioned text is placed in the Georgian and the
English languages.
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All
Georgia was addressed in the speeches given by the President of
Georgia, Mrs. Salome Zurabishvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of
Georgia, Mr. Archil Talakvadze, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal
Throne, His Eminence Shio, the President of the Georgian National
Academy of Sciences, Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze, the President of the
National Academy of Sciences of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze and
the Ambassador of the Vatican to Georgia, Monsignor Jose
Betencourt. They spoke about the special merits of the
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, thanked him for his
indefatigable work for the Church of Georgia and the nation, and
congratulated him on being awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of
the Academy and Seminary.
The President of Georgia, Mrs.
Salome Zurabishvili, noted that owing to the Patriarch, many
churches and monasteries have been built and revived in this
country, religious education has become available to all and
educational institutions of various profiles have been established.
Mrs. Salome Zurabishvili addressed the Patriarch with the following
words: “I consider you to be the greatest person of our epoch and
for me it is an honor to be President of Georgia in the time of
your tenure.”
Mr. Archil Talakvadze said that
His Holiness’s merit before our nation and our homeland is
outstanding and invaluable. The Patriarch of Georgia, with his
life, work and steadfastness of his faith, sets for everyone an
example of how to accept contemporary challenges. The Speaker of
the Parliament noted that under the leadership of the Patriarch,
Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary is engaged in the most
important literary activities and imparts knowledge to young
people, and by this contribution, strengthens the identity and
historical memory of the Georgian nation.
In his opening remarks,
Metropolitan Shio said: “Today, of course, we reflect on the great
work you have been doing for decades in the direction of the
advancement of science and education.” His Eminence Shio said that
through the efforts of His Holiness, the intelligentsia of this
country started to construct their contacts with the Church,
high-level educational centers were established within the bosom of
the Church, and many people, working in various scientific fields,
continued their activities among clergymen.
His Eminence noted that with the
establishment of Tbilisi Theological Academy by the
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, educational traditions were
revived in the Orthodox Church of Georgia. These traditions were
related to the existence of scientific centers, before the
abolition of autocephaly in our country. Further, His Eminence Shio
briefly reviewed His Holiness’s contribution to the revival of
theological education in Georgia.
Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze addressed
His Holiness and Beatitude with the following words: “Your
Holiness, undoubtedly, this day is a pleasant one for you, but it
is much happier for the academy which is electing you as an
honorary doctor.” Mr. Giorgi Kvesitadze noted that the development
of science in Georgia has always been connected with the bosom of
the Church and even today the Theological Academy successfully
performs its function, with the blessing of His Holiness and
Beatitude.
The Ambassador of the Vatican to
Georgia, Monsignor Jose Betencourt, conveyed greetings from His
Holiness the Pope to the Patriarch of Georgia and said that the
representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia have
the greatest respect toward him, His Holiness and Beatitude has
their friendship and support. He noted that, for a long time, he
has been following and appreciating the Patriarch’s special
guidance and care for the Georgian Orthodox Church and people. And,
with the title of Honorary Doctor, Tbilisi Theological Academy
acknowledges the particular merit of the Patriarch of Georgia and
confirms respect for his personality.
At the conclusion of the event,
the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia addressed the audience:
“All my life, I have served the Church of Georgia. I express my
gratitude to the Lord that He entrusted me with this mission. The
major objective of my work, of my spiritual activity was the
integrity of the Georgian nation, integrity of our state. The unity
of science and spirituality – this is the main objective; in this
unity shall our nation find its strength. I am grateful to all of
you for awarding this title to me. May God bless you, God is with
us!”