Metropolitan Jonah, OCA delegation continue visit to Georgian Church
On Thursday morning, October 15, 2009, following visits to the office of International Orthodox Christian Charities and the US Embassy in Georgia’s capital, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah of All America and Canada and the delegation of the Orthodox Church in America, with the exception of the Very Rev. Kishkovsky, who stayed behind to attend to personal business, departed Tbilisi for Western Georgia.
Along the way, Metropolitan Jonah and those accompanying him stopped at the Monastery of the Holy Cross at Djvari, which is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, to visit the monastery church and venerate the holy icons and items within, including a particle of the Holy and Life-giving Cross of the Lord.
Following this short time for prayer, the delegation left for Batumi, a four hour journey by car. Along the way, Metropolitan Jonah and those accompanying him stopped at the Patriarchal Residence for lunch after venerating the relics and the icons in the church there.
Afterwards, Metropolitan Jonah, the accompanying hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and the OCA delegation visited the 11th century Gelati Monastery, where they were met by His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistrat of Kutasi, who warmly welcomed the them and personally took them on a tour of the monastery, widely known for its 13th century frescoes. Also, this monastery is the burial site of Saint David the Builder and many other Georgian kings.
The delegation continued its journey to the seaside town of Batumi. Upon his arrival, Metropolitan Jonah visited Holy Annunciation Cathedral where he concelebrated a Doxology with the diocesan hierarch, His Eminence, Metropolitan Dimitri. Following the Doxology, Metropolitan Jonah gave an interview for local television, in which he spoke of the significance of his visit.
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Story and Photo Credit: www.st-catherine.ru