Moscow, August 4, 2016
A number of jubilee events will be held August 6-7 in the mountain region of Racha (Georgia), honoring the 1000th anniversary of the building of the Nikortsminda church, reports Interpressnews.ge. The events will be attended by Catholics-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
According to Igumen Dionysius Bordzikula of the Nikorstminda Diocese, the millennial jubilee of the church occurred in 2014, but at that time funds were not found to commemorate it in a fitting manner.
“When the diocesan cathedral of Nikorstminda was headed by Bishop Vakhtang (Liparteliani) it was decided to properly celebrate this glorious historical date. The planned events are scheduled to take place over the course of two days—August 6-7,” said Igumen Dionysius.
As part of the program, on August 6 at 10 AM will be the opening of the church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God which is being finished in the city of Ambrolauri. The Patriarch of Georgia will arrive to the consecrated church at 2 PM and serve a Moleben there. On the same day at 6 PM there will be an exhibition at the Ambrolauri House of Culture dedicated to clerics whose activity was connected with Racha.
“Of importance will be the exhibition with the inclusion of archival material, including that stored in the Kutaisi Museum. The Patriarch of Georgia will open the exhibition. On the program for the opening day is also included the presentation of the building project of a monastery and the bishop’s residence,” Fr. Dionysius noted.
On August 7 at 10 AM Catholics-Patriarch Ilia II together with members of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church will serve the festive Liturgy in honor of the 1000 year anniversary of Nikorstminda. Georgian Prime Minister George Kvirikashvili and members of government will be present at the Liturgy.
At 2 PM is scheduled the consecration of the territory designated for the building of the Nikorstminda episcopal residency and monastery complex, with a presentation on the development of the Racha region.
At 6 PM on a specially-constructed stage will begin a concert of the symphonic orchestra named for Evgeny Mikeladze under the direction of composer and conductor Nikoloza Rachveli. Taking part in the concert are vocalists native to Racha: the ensemble of Church singers of the Sameba Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, singer Nani Bregvadze, recently celebrating his 80th birthday, soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, baritone George Gagnidze and other famous performers.
“It will be an extraordinary celebration. Racha cannot recall such a magnitude of celebration since the arrival here of the classicist of Georgian literature of two centuries ago, Akakia Tsereteli, author of the immortal verses of the song 'Suliko,'” Igumen Dionysius told journalists.
The Nikorstminda Cathedral has been submitted for inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage list.
