Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate attends celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya of All Georgia

On 25 December 2017, the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrated the 40^thanniversary of enthronement of His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya II of All Georgia. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, arrived in Georgia. The delegation also included Archbishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, Archbishop Roman of Yakutsk and Lensk, Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, secretary for inter-Orthodox relations of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, and representatives of the dioceses of Nizhny Novgorod and Yakutsk.

In Mtskheta, ancient capital of Georgia, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles (Svetitskhoveli), the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church officiated at the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with him were an assembly of hierarchs and clerics of the Georgian Church, members of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Archbishop Varnava of Makeyevka, vicar of the Donetsk diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

After the service, Metropolitan Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas read out a message of greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The members of the Russian Orthodox Church’s delegation presented His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Iliya with an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov with a particle of his holy relics.

A message of greetings from the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church was read out. Mr. Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, greeted His Holiness and Beatitude Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya.

That day later a reception was given. Among those invited were the members of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church.

DECR Communication Service

Photo from the website of the Yakutsk diocese

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Delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate attends celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of enthronement of Catholicos-Patriarch Iliya of All Georgia

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Department Chairman

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