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THE PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA VISITED ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH TODAY
Office of the President
president.gov.ge
Jan 13 2011
Georgia
The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited Armenian Apostolic
Orthodox Church today in Avlabari; the church celebrates Christmas
and Epiphany holidays today.
The President addressed the congregation gathered at church after
church service. He stressed his attention on Georgian and Armenian
relationships and friendship that lasts for centuries.
"I want to congratulate Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and each
of you on Christmas Holiday. I really appreciate the deeds of your
Archbishop Vazgen in spiritual support he provides for our fellow
citizens as well as his shares in the development of two ancient
Christian nations - Georgian and Armenian relationships. It happens
very rarely that two nations live side by side and are connected with
such firmness, closeness, friendship, brotherhood, support in very
difficult situations, in hardest political and historic circumstances.
So, the relationships between these countries depend not only on past,
but on what we have in present and what we would by all means have in
future. At the same time Armenians that live in Georgia are part of
the development of our statehood. We mustn't forget those contributions
that Armenians put not only in the development of Georgia's economic,
cultural and spiritual development, but in saving our country as
well. Many of them fought for the independence, unity and freedom
of Georgia. They contributed their own blood in Georgia's existence
and it is their merit that Georgia develops even today. We are not
forgetting it and want each of you to feel that you are indivisible
part of our country and like the rest of our citizens - are the
valuable owners of this country and creators of its future.
The representatives of various ethnicities and religions reside in
Georgia and this country belongs to each of them equally. It means
that each of them have responsibility and interest in our country to
be free, independent, strong and developed. At the same time I want
to send greetings to the representatives of Armenian nation that are
scattered all around the world, to the Chatholicos Garegin II and the
whole Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. I once again wish you all
the best for Christmas and success, happiness and blessings to your
families", Mikheil Saakashvili noted.
The Archbishop of Armenian Holly Apostolic Orthodox Church Vazgen
held a service in Tbilisi Echmiadzini Church. After the service he
addressed the President of Georgia and thanked him for his personal
greetings on Christmas holiday and for that state policy that Georgian
government carries out in regards of ethnic minorities.
"As the Catholocos Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II pointes out
Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches co-existed in full
harmony and idyll during the centuries. The congregations of our
church that are valuable citizens of Georgia bring their shares in
the development of country during the century. It is a big honor for
us that Mikheil Saakashvili paid a visit to our church on this very
important day - David the Builder used to do the same. It expresses
your favor and honor. David the Builder used to visit Christian and
Muslim chapels. I am glad that this tradition continues". Archbishop
Vazgen noted.
From: A. Papazian
Office of the President
president.gov.ge
Jan 13 2011
Georgia
The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited Armenian Apostolic
Orthodox Church today in Avlabari; the church celebrates Christmas
and Epiphany holidays today.
The President addressed the congregation gathered at church after
church service. He stressed his attention on Georgian and Armenian
relationships and friendship that lasts for centuries.
"I want to congratulate Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and each
of you on Christmas Holiday. I really appreciate the deeds of your
Archbishop Vazgen in spiritual support he provides for our fellow
citizens as well as his shares in the development of two ancient
Christian nations - Georgian and Armenian relationships. It happens
very rarely that two nations live side by side and are connected with
such firmness, closeness, friendship, brotherhood, support in very
difficult situations, in hardest political and historic circumstances.
So, the relationships between these countries depend not only on past,
but on what we have in present and what we would by all means have in
future. At the same time Armenians that live in Georgia are part of
the development of our statehood. We mustn't forget those contributions
that Armenians put not only in the development of Georgia's economic,
cultural and spiritual development, but in saving our country as
well. Many of them fought for the independence, unity and freedom
of Georgia. They contributed their own blood in Georgia's existence
and it is their merit that Georgia develops even today. We are not
forgetting it and want each of you to feel that you are indivisible
part of our country and like the rest of our citizens - are the
valuable owners of this country and creators of its future.
The representatives of various ethnicities and religions reside in
Georgia and this country belongs to each of them equally. It means
that each of them have responsibility and interest in our country to
be free, independent, strong and developed. At the same time I want
to send greetings to the representatives of Armenian nation that are
scattered all around the world, to the Chatholicos Garegin II and the
whole Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. I once again wish you all
the best for Christmas and success, happiness and blessings to your
families", Mikheil Saakashvili noted.
The Archbishop of Armenian Holly Apostolic Orthodox Church Vazgen
held a service in Tbilisi Echmiadzini Church. After the service he
addressed the President of Georgia and thanked him for his personal
greetings on Christmas holiday and for that state policy that Georgian
government carries out in regards of ethnic minorities.
"As the Catholocos Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II pointes out
Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches co-existed in full
harmony and idyll during the centuries. The congregations of our
church that are valuable citizens of Georgia bring their shares in
the development of country during the century. It is a big honor for
us that Mikheil Saakashvili paid a visit to our church on this very
important day - David the Builder used to do the same. It expresses
your favor and honor. David the Builder used to visit Christian and
Muslim chapels. I am glad that this tradition continues". Archbishop
Vazgen noted.
From: A. Papazian