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Bp. Vasily Represents Metr. Tikhon at Georgia’s 1,700th-Anniversary Celebrations
Bp. Vasily joined Orthodox hierarchs in Georgia to celebrate 1,700 years of Christianity and reaffirm the bonds between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the OCA.
MTSKHETA, GEORGIA — Bp. Vasily represented Metr. Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), at celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity becoming Georgia’s state religion.
The commemorations took place on October 14, 2026, at the historic Svetitskhoveli Patriarchal Cathedral in Mtskheta. The event coincided with the feast of Svetitskhovloba, which honors the Robe of Christ and the Life-Giving Pillar, both associated with Georgia’s Christian heritage.
Patr. Shio, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, presided at the festal Divine Liturgy. He was joined by Metr. Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, members of the Georgian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod, and visiting hierarchs representing the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
During the visit, Bp. Vasily delivered a letter from Metr. Tikhon congratulating the Georgian Church on the anniversary. Metr. Tikhon praised its 17 centuries of Christian witness, tracing its legacy to the missionary work of St. Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles, and the conversion of King Mirian and Queen Nana.
The letter also emphasized the spiritual traditions preserved by generations of Georgian hierarchs, monastics, martyrs, confessors, and faithful. Metr. Tikhon reaffirmed the fraternal bonds between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the OCA, expressing regret that he could not attend personally and conveying his prayers and greetings on behalf of the American Church.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Shio received a Constantinople delegation in Georgia.
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