OCA Representatives Participate in Feast of St. Nino in Georgia
On January 27, 2026, at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II, His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth and Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk, Dean of the Saint Catherine’s Representation Church in Moscow, represented His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at the Feast of Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgia in Tbilisi, Georgia.
His Grace and Father Daniel arrived in Georgia on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and were warmly received upon their arrival at the Tbilisi airport by representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
On Monday, January 26, the delegation met with His Eminence Andria, Metropolitan of Gori and Ateni, and Archpriest Mikhail Botkoveli, the Secretary of His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II, together with Archpriest Andria Dzagmaitze, Press Secretary, and Archpriest Kakhaber Gogoshvili, for a series of discussions focused on the life of the Georgian Church, the Orthodox Church in America, and many areas of mutual interest and possible cooperation.
That evening, His Grace and Father Daniel attended the Vigil for the Feast of Saint Nino at the Sioni Cathedral in the center of the Old City, during which service the Cross of Saint Nino was brought out for veneration at the polyeleos and anointing.
On Tuesday, His Grace and Father Daniel concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saint Nino presided by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo, and Kars, at the Sioni Cathedral where the Cross of Saint Nino is treasured. Bishops Michael of Tianeti and Grigol of Tsalka concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy together with Protopresbyter George Zviadadze and other Tbilisi area clergy. Bishop Gerasim preached the sermon while Father George translated his sermon.
During their visit, the delegation conveyed the greetings and fraternal love of His Beatitude to His Holiness, Patriarch Ilia II, and to the clergy and faithful of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
On Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, His Grace and Father Daniel were cordially received at the Tbilisi Theological Academy by Protopresbyter George Zviadadze, Rector of the Theological Academy. Father George discussed the efforts by His Holiness Patriarch Catholicos Ilia II during the Soviet period to reestablish the seminary and its expansion at the present to include about 35 students in PhD level programs. More discussion took place about coordinating their efforts with the theological institutions of the Orthodox Church in America. This concluded their visit and they departed Georgia.