By blessing of the Archbishop of Constantinople, His All-Holiness of New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, rector of Sukhumi State University, president of the Academy of Education Sciences, Professor Zurab Khonelidze is visiting the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The visit started on July 29, 2022. The official program is quite busy and it includes a meeting with more than one high hierarchy or layperson of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
On the first day of the visit, with the blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch, the rector of Sukhumi State University, Professor Zurab Khonelidze and the Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Ilia Jinjolava visited the Theological School of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the island of Halki. The delegation was hosted by the head of the Halki seminary, bishop, reverend Kassianos. He introduced the rector into the history of the seminary and the challenges the school is facing nowadays.
Mr. Zurab introduced Reverend Kassianos into the history of Sukhumi State University, the mission and role of our higher education institution in the education system of Georgia. It was noted that despite the difficulties the university had experienced as a result of the conflict in Abkhazia, its employees and students remained spiritually poised, having vigorously continued the scientific and academic processes in Tbilisi, and today, the University is one of the outstanding Georgian educational institutions. At the same time, it is a bridge that should unite the society and the country that had been separated by the conflict. The unique idea of university diplomacy, developed by Mr. Zurab, serves the very purpose, to which even a special monograph has been dedicated.
The rector of Sukhumi State University presented copies of the book to the head of the Halki seminary and the unique library of the theological school.
At the meeting, the desire for further cooperation between institutions was expressed. With Reverend Kassianos’ consent, the members of the delegation had the opportunity to visit the historical halls of the unique library of the seminary, where more than 200 000 books and manuscripts are preserved, including the Georgian ones. Due to Mr. Zurab's request, the leaders of the seminary agreed to allow scientists and students of Sukhumi State University to work with Georgian manuscripts. This is an important success, because working in the library of the seminary is quite regulated and limited for foreign researchers.
While visiting Halki seminary, tragic information about the crash of a rescue helicopter in Gudauri and the death of 8 rescuers on board was spread. The hosts expressed their condolences to Mr. Zurab, as a representative of Georgia, and lit candles for the souls of the deceased.
The visit ended with a festive dinner, which was held in Halki seminary on behalf of Bishop Kassianos. Theological School of Halki has published information about this visit on its official Facebook page and in the newspaper "Orthodox Times".
