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Patriarchate of Georgia: Joint working group to be established for the protection of churches and monasteries

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

On 21 July this year, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of Georgia received Tinatin Rukhadze, the Minister of Culture, at the Patriarchal Residence.

During the meeting, they discussed the need to establish a joint working group. This group will take action to protect cultural heritage and restore churches and monasteries belonging to the Patriarchate. Comprising representatives of the relevant services of the Patriarchate and the Ministry, the group will jointly plan the necessary restoration works. With the Patriarch’s blessing, the group’s programme of activities will be reviewed in the near future.

In attendance were Metropolitan David (Makharadze) of Alaverdi, Head of the Patriarchate of Georgia’s Council for Architecture, Restoration and Art; Bishop Vakhtang (Liparteliani) of Nikortsminda; Archimandrite Kyrion (Oniani), Deputy Chairman of the Temporary Restoration Committee for Gelati; and Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, Head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service.

Also in attendance were Grigol Tsertsvadze, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Nugzar Tskheindze, Deputy Director of the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation.

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (7) 🌐 Show original

Богдана Николова

It's good that there will finally be a common working group. It is especially important for Gelati, where Archimandrite Kirion is already dealing with the temporary committee. I hope the work starts quickly and there is no delay with the documents.

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ლელა ჯავახიშვილი

It's good that they are finally forming a joint group. It is especially important for Gelati, because Archimandrite Kirion is already busy in the temporary committee. Hopefully, the documents will not get stuck and they will start working quickly.

Николай Соловьёв

It’s good that they are finally creating a common group with the ministry. It is especially important for Gelati, since Archimandrite Kirion is already on the committee. I hope that the paperwork will not be delayed and that they will actually begin to restore it.

Галина Соловьёва

I agree, Nikolai, it’s good that we’re finally together with the ministry. This is especially important for Gelati, since Kirion is already on the committee. I hope they will at least patch up the roof this year, otherwise it will start leaking again in winter.

Елена Белова

Yes, Nikolai, it’s really time to really get down to business with Gelati. Kirion is there on the committee, which means at least one of us is following the matter. I wonder, who else will be appointed to this group from the Patriarchate, besides those who were at the meeting?

Полина Павлова

Yes, Galina, it’s really time to stop delaying things with Gelati. Kirion is a knowledgeable person on the committee, maybe now things will go faster. Otherwise, every year it’s the same thing - in winter there’s water, and in summer there’s “plans” again. I hope this time they will look at more than just the roof.

Илья Морозов

Yes, Elena, it’s really high time to bring this matter to an end with Gelati, otherwise we’ve been talking for so many years already. Kirion is great for being on the committee, but I wonder who else from the architectural council of the Patriarchate will be added - maybe David (Makharadze) again or someone from the dioceses. What do you think, who should be included?