Today, on February 17, the group of monks from St. Mount Athos has visited the Georgian Orthodox Church. Among the guests were: Vatopedy Monastery Archimandrite Ephraim and members of the brotherhood of the monastery, monks -Triphon (Kelaptrishvili), Theodosius (Lasha Mrelashvili), Nektarios (Makhare Gelashvili) and Nokodimos (Andreas Demetrious) which were accompanied by two secular persons - Christian Hajispirou and Christos Andronis.

Today, at 7 p.m., the monks were hosted in the residence of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Foreign Department, Zugdidi - Tsaishi Metropolitan Gerasim (Sharashenidze), Archbishop of Senaki and Chkhorotsku Shio (Mujiri), head of the Patriarchate's press office, Father David Sharashenidze, the other official persons. The meeting proceeded in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Zion Church Cathedral choir members performed Georgian songs. Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II showed to the guests the sanctuaries. Archimandrite Ephraim gifted the Patriarch with Vatopedy Monastery history book.

Tomorrow, on February 18 at 9:00 a.m., the monks will attend the liturgy at Zion Cathedral Charch. At 1.00 p.m. guests will visit the students of Tbilisi Theological Seminary. On February 20, the delegacy of monks will serve the liturgy at the Holy Trinity Church alongside with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II.

Monks from St. Mount Athos will stay in Georgia for 10 days.

Archimandrite of the Mount Athos monastery gifted the Patriarch of all Georgia with the copy of miraculous icon.

Archimandrite Ephraim also gifted the Patriarch with the one of the seven wonder-working Holy Virgin icons.

"We would like to present you this icon in remembrance of St. Mount Athos monk’s love to you and Georgian people " - told Archimandrite Ephraim to the Patriarch. "The first thing we are always asked by the visitors from Georgia is to pray for the Patriarch.

We understand that His Holiness is the guarantee of the balance in social, political and economical life" - Archimandrite Ephraim said, adding that the Holy Fathers of St. Mount Athos always pray for the Patriarch of All Georgia.