Tbilisi, August 24, 2020
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On Wednesday, July 22, the first parish church in the world dedicated to the newly-glorified St. Joseph the Hesychast was consecrated in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The church is located within the complex of the Church of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross in the Saburalo section of the Georgian capital. The Liturgy and consecration were celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Davit of Alaverdi and the parish rector Archpriest Theodore Gignadze, together with fellow members of the clergy, reports the Sermons by Archpriest Theodore Gignadze Facebook page.
Fr. Theodore is known for his inspired sermons that encourage people to practice the Jesus Prayer in their daily lives, thus it is no surprise that his parish would dedicate a church to the great St. Joseph the Hesychast.
“The service was very special for the parish: Together with many members of the clergy and other guests, the blessing of St. Joseph the Hesychast Church was celebrated with great joy of oneness, with a procession around the church and with festal decorations,” the page reports.
All sanitary recommendations were followed in accordance with current conditions in Georgia, with multiple screens and loudspeakers set up around the church to make it easier for the faithful to participate.
Watch a video from the consecration below:
Elder Joseph the Hesychast was glorified among the saints by the Patriarchate of Constantinople on March 9.
In June, construction on a Church of St. Joseph the Hesychast was finished in Madagascar, which will serve as the church for the first male monastery in the nation.
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See our articles by Fr. Theodore Gignadze: “We’re in the Church Only for the Sake of Christ” and “On the Jesus Prayer in Our Time.”
