He spoke about the tradition of sacred music in Eastern Georgia and the King’s contribution in the preservation and revival of the tradition. Lasha Zaalishvili noted that among King Erekle II’s many merits, the establishment of Mtskheta school of Sacred Music was of particular importance. The school functioned under the aegis of the Catholicos and was financed from royal funds. The King, who was well acquainted with the Georgian hymnal, elevated the peasants skilled in this sphere to the rank of gentry. In Eastern Georgia, the churches and monasteries of the Davit-Gareji mountains, Shiomghvime, Martqhopi, Pitareti, Bodbi, Shuamta, Samtavisi, Anchiskhati, and Sioni were especially devoted to the preservation and development of the traditions of sacred music.
The lecturer noted that after the abolition of the autocephaly of the Church of Georgia, the tradition of ecclesiastical singing was preserved owing to the outstanding lineages of singers. One of the prominent families was that of the Karbelashvilis, whose four generations made a great contribution to the preservation of the Georgian hymns. Thanks to them, our richest heritage of sacred music was committed to the five-line notation and in this way it was saved from disappearance.
The event was attended by the members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Daniel (Datuashvili) of Chiatura and Sachkhere, Metropolitan Anania (Japaridze) of Manglisi and Tetritsqharo, the Exarch of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia - Metropolitan Theodore (Chuadze) of Tao and Klarjeti, Archbishop Spiridon (Abuladze) of Skhalta and others of the clergy, also, professors, teachers and students of TTAS. Among the invited guests were: the teacher of Giorgi the Athonite University of Sacred Music, Doctor of Art Studies Eka Oniani and Professor in the Conservatoire, Doctor of Art Studies Magda Sukhiashvili.
The Rector of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary, Doctor of Theology, Philology and Political Sciences, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze gave a welcome speech at the event. He thanked the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Georgia for coming, spoke about the merits of each of the hierarchs and noted that their visit was a great honor for the Academy and Seminary and, personally, for him. The Rector also spoke about the greatest contribution of the Patriarch in the restoration and development of the Georgian sacred music and noted that His Holiness and Beatitude’s great wish was to restore the ancient tradition of ecclesiastical singing, which is the participation of two choirs in the Liturgical Service. The Patriarch’s wish has been realized in Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary for, today, this higher theological school has two choirs - the Choir of the Seminary, conducted by Lasha Zaalishvili and the Choir of the Academy, conducted by Lekso Gremelashvili.
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze expressed his gratitude to the conductors of both choirs and highlighted their hard work and dedication to their work.
Metropolitan Anania (Japaridze) of Manglisi and Tetritskaro gave a speech at the event. He noted that King Erekle II was a great advocate for the revival of Georgian ecclesiastical singing. He also expressed his gratitude to the Rector of TTAS, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze, through whose efforts and support the old tradition of the Georgian hymnal has been restored in this school.
At the event, the Choir of the Theological Seminary performed some of the hymns.
