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Georgian Chanting University holds Annual Concert at National Palace

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The annual concert of the St. Giorgi Mtatsmindeli University of Chanting took place on July 4 at the National Palace in Tbilisi, featuring performances by university students and graduates of the institution’s first short-term certification program.

The event was attended by clergy, representatives of the Georgian Parliament, cultural figures, and invited guests. Among those present was Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, Head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate, who conveyed the blessings of the Patriarchal Locum Tenens and congratulated students, faculty members, and co-founders on the successful completion of the academic year.

In his remarks, Archpriest Andria recalled the words spoken by Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia at the founding of the University of Chanting: “We are beginning a very great undertaking. I am confident that the choir directors we educate will establish choirs throughout Georgia, and all of Georgia will glorify the Lord.”

He noted that the late Patriarch’s vision has become a reality over the years and praised the university for faithfully carrying out its mission. He also expressed gratitude to the institution’s…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Marko Lukić

It is good to hear that the vision of Patriarch Ilija II is coming true. I'm really curious how those students from the first short certificate sounded at the 4th of July concert. Thank God that such a school exists in Georgia.

Gabriela Rusu

Yes, the vision of Patriarch Ilia II is really taking shape. I also wonder how the graduates of that first short certificate program sounded on the 4th of July at the National Palace – they probably played something from the old Georgian repertoire. Thank God this school keeps the tradition alive.

Rebecca Parker

It’s good to hear Archpriest Andria quoting Patriarch Ilia’s exact words from the founding. I wonder what the first batch of short-certification students actually sang at the National Palace on the 4th – any chance they did the old Georgian polyphony? Glad the university is still quietly getting on with it.

Світлана Литвин

Yes, it is interesting what exactly the graduates of the first short certificate sang on July 4 in the National Palace. Were there old Georgian polyphonic chants that Father Andrii mentions? It is good that the university continues the work of Patriarch Ilya.

Katarina Nikolić

Yes, it's really nice that that vision is coming true. I heard that the students at that concert sang old Georgian chants from the monastery, it sounded very clean and deep. Did you happen to find a video from the 4th of July somewhere?

Elena Lungu

Yes, I also think they chose old pieces, maybe something from the Gelati school or from the mountain monastery repertoire. I wonder if they also played "Shen Khar Venakhi" at some point, that one always gives me chills. Thank God for keeping the tradition alive, as you say.

Μαρία Παππά

Good that Pope-Andreas remembered the words of Patriarch Ilias exactly as he said them then. I wonder, too, what exactly the first-timers sang of that short certificate on the 4th of July at the National Palace – perhaps something of the old Gelati polyphonics? I am glad that this school continues.

Jovan Stojanović

Yes, I agree with Mark, it's really nice that those words of Patriarch Ilia come true in practice. The students also performed some newer covers of old songs at the concert, I heard that the audience in the National Palace was completely silent from start to finish. Do you have a favorite Georgian tune that you would like to hear them perform?

Maria Munteanu

Yes, "Shen Khar Venakhi" really has a special power, it seems to pull you directly into prayer. I think at Gelati they sang more of the old polyphonic ones, from what I heard from a chorister who was there last year. Have you ever been to one of their concerts?

Δέσποινα Γεωργίου

Yes, Pope-Andreas said it well, the words of Patriarch Elias fit perfectly with what is happening now. I would also like to know what exactly they sang in the National Palace, perhaps one of the old Georgian polyphonics. I'm glad the school is progressing, as you say.

Ion Nistor

Yes, I also read that they included songs from the medieval repertoire, not just from Gelati. I wonder if they also had a polyphonic band from Svaneti, because there the tradition is harsher and I like how it sounds live. Thank God this university is moving forward.

Marko Kostić

Yes, I just read that they performed those old chants from Gelati and Svetitskhoveli, they sounded really clean. I haven't found the video yet, but the godfather from Tbilisi told me that they put a couple of short clips on the university's YouTube channel. Did you maybe hear a specific song that you liked the most?

Олександр Бойко

Yes, it would be interesting to find out exactly which songs were performed by the graduates of that short course. It seems to me that the old polyphonic Georgian chants definitely sounded there, because the university is based on that. Have you been to such a concert before?

Gheorghe Radu

No, I haven't been to a concert of theirs yet, but I'd love to see how they sound live at Gelati. I also sang "Shen Khar Venakhi" with our choir from Sibiu and you really feel how it pulls you into prayer, you're right. Were you there last year?

Παρασκευή Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, Despina, Papa-Andreas said it very well. I heard that they sang, among other things, "our god" in an old polyphonic style from Svaneti, it was very loud. Have you ever tried to sing something like this in your choir in Patras?

Anca Tudor

No, I didn't go to Gelati, but I sang "Shen Khar Venakhi" at an evening service here in Sibiu and it seemed to me that the air was changing in the church. At their concert in Tbilisi I think they also played new songs from the certification program, not just the old ones. Did you manage to catch any live snippets from them?

Constantin Ciobanu

Yes, I went to Gelati two summers ago and the singing there, in the old church, catches you differently than on the record. "Shen Khar Venakhi" sounds completely different when you hear it from stone and wood, not speakers. When do you think you'll get to go?

Andrei Constantinescu

No, I didn't catch it live this time, but I really liked how they included tracks from the short certification – it feels like that new schedule is refreshing. "Shen Khar Venakhi" sung in Sibiu sounds magical, especially in the evening; I heard it for the first time at a liturgy in Iasi and it really changed the atmosphere. Did you sing solo or with the choir there?

Gabriela Gheorghiu

Yes, Gelati is something else entirely, I too heard "Shen Khar Venakhi" echoing within those old walls. I hope to arrive next summer, after the mountain camp with the children, because otherwise I don't really have time. Have you been to other Georgian monasteries where they sing like this?