The News in Brief
Monday, November 18
By Lizi Zurabiani
Representatives of religions in Georgia express their support to Ilia II
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II received the leaders and representatives of religions and confessions in Georgia at the Patriarchate's residence on the International Day of Tolerance on November 15 and 16.
Among the guests were leaders of the Jewish community, the Division of Muslims, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Latin Catholics, the Yezidi Theological Seminary, the Evangelical Lutheran and Gospel Faith Church and their associates.
The guests noted that Georgia is a historically tolerant country and the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Patriarch personally promote tolerance and the peaceful coexistence of various religious and ethnic groups. They also pledged that they would come to show their support and respect for the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia and thank him for upholding traditional values and for promoting tolerance.
"We listen carefully and take note of your words and promote traditional values in our parishes," they said.
The Patriarch thanked the religious leaders and wished them useful work for our country and people.
The International Day for Tolerance, initiated by UNESCO, has been celebrated since 1995. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of the dangers of intolerance, extremism and discrimination and to promote mutual respect. This day was first celebrated in Georgia in 2016 and was hosted by the Patriarchate of Georgia.
Doctor detained in Tskhinvali may be released in a few days
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, says that according to several channels, Vazha Siradze, a doctor in Tskhinvali, will be released in a few days. In addition, the minister says Gaprindashvili's health is normal:
"The Red Cross has had some problems. Since last Saturday I have been communicating with the Red Cross, the problems they face in operating are unacceptable. I and the relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working on this issue, to ensure that they do not face such problems," said the minister.
Traumatologist Vazha Gaprindashvili moved to the occupied territory of Tskhinvali to assist a woman. A 60-year-old from the occupied Akhalgori fell into a well and sustained injuries but was not transferred to Tbilisi because the occupation regime still has the checkpoint locked.
Gaprindashvili was sentenced to two-month in jail by the regime for crossing the so-called border. According to the de facto regime's news agency Reese, no final decision has been made on the case and the investigation is continuing.
4 Georgian citizens were detained for crossing the so-called border on November 9-11. The de facto court ruled that three of the detainees were fined and left the territory of the so-called republic, and Gaprindashvili was arrested.
Excavations revealed traces of Georgian monasteries in Cyprus
After three years of working in Cyprus, archaeologists have found items that confirm the existence of Georgian churches and monasteries in the area.
Professor Vakhtang Licheli, head of the TSU Institute of Archeology, said that an expedition to the Alamino area found remains of a church. They also discovered a few tombs. The remains of the church were also found in Nasoflar Softades. Excavations have found ceramic items, crosses, human skeletons, etc.
“In the 6th century there was a three-nave basilica built here. The church has been rebuilt several times. We are particularly interested in the traces of the last conversion, as it relates to the work of the Georgian clergy. It is interesting that in Cyprus there is a saying that both churches in Alamino and Softades belonged to Georgians,” says Vakhtang Licheli.
According to him, there is a letter from Pope Clement of Rome, dated 1306 years. It states that Georgian monks also served in the monasteries of Lacronas and St. Saba in Cyprus.
"The lacrosse monastery is unfortunately damaged by modern refurbishment so that you can find no trace, but the monastery of St. Saba is intact," he says.
The items found during the excavation are stored at the Larnaca Museum in Cyprus.
Representatives of religions in Georgia express their support to Ilia II
The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II received the leaders and representatives of religions and confessions in Georgia at the Patriarchate's residence on the International Day of Tolerance on November 15 and 16.
Among the guests were leaders of the Jewish community, the Division of Muslims, the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Latin Catholics, the Yezidi Theological Seminary, the Evangelical Lutheran and Gospel Faith Church and their associates.
The guests noted that Georgia is a historically tolerant country and the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Patriarch personally promote tolerance and the peaceful coexistence of various religious and ethnic groups. They also pledged that they would come to show their support and respect for the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia and thank him for upholding traditional values and for promoting tolerance.
"We listen carefully and take note of your words and promote traditional values in our parishes," they said.
The Patriarch thanked the religious leaders and wished them useful work for our country and people.
The International Day for Tolerance, initiated by UNESCO, has been celebrated since 1995. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of the dangers of intolerance, extremism and discrimination and to promote mutual respect. This day was first celebrated in Georgia in 2016 and was hosted by the Patriarchate of Georgia.
Doctor detained in Tskhinvali may be released in a few days
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, says that according to several channels, Vazha Siradze, a doctor in Tskhinvali, will be released in a few days. In addition, the minister says Gaprindashvili's health is normal:
"The Red Cross has had some problems. Since last Saturday I have been communicating with the Red Cross, the problems they face in operating are unacceptable. I and the relevant agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are working on this issue, to ensure that they do not face such problems," said the minister.
Traumatologist Vazha Gaprindashvili moved to the occupied territory of Tskhinvali to assist a woman. A 60-year-old from the occupied Akhalgori fell into a well and sustained injuries but was not transferred to Tbilisi because the occupation regime still has the checkpoint locked.
Gaprindashvili was sentenced to two-month in jail by the regime for crossing the so-called border. According to the de facto regime's news agency Reese, no final decision has been made on the case and the investigation is continuing.
4 Georgian citizens were detained for crossing the so-called border on November 9-11. The de facto court ruled that three of the detainees were fined and left the territory of the so-called republic, and Gaprindashvili was arrested.
Excavations revealed traces of Georgian monasteries in Cyprus
After three years of working in Cyprus, archaeologists have found items that confirm the existence of Georgian churches and monasteries in the area.
Professor Vakhtang Licheli, head of the TSU Institute of Archeology, said that an expedition to the Alamino area found remains of a church. They also discovered a few tombs. The remains of the church were also found in Nasoflar Softades. Excavations have found ceramic items, crosses, human skeletons, etc.
“In the 6th century there was a three-nave basilica built here. The church has been rebuilt several times. We are particularly interested in the traces of the last conversion, as it relates to the work of the Georgian clergy. It is interesting that in Cyprus there is a saying that both churches in Alamino and Softades belonged to Georgians,” says Vakhtang Licheli.
According to him, there is a letter from Pope Clement of Rome, dated 1306 years. It states that Georgian monks also served in the monasteries of Lacronas and St. Saba in Cyprus.
"The lacrosse monastery is unfortunately damaged by modern refurbishment so that you can find no trace, but the monastery of St. Saba is intact," he says.
The items found during the excavation are stored at the Larnaca Museum in Cyprus.