On Monday, 16th of
September 2019, Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary began its
new academic year. In this connection, His Eminence Shio (Mujiri),
Locum Tenants of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia,
Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotskhu offered an Akathist in
Sioni Patriarchal Temple. With him, co-celebrants were: His
Eminence Ioane (Gamrekeli), Metropolitan of Rustavi and His
Eminence, Grigol (Katsia), Bishop of Tsalka. The Rector of Tbilisi
Theological Academy and Seminary, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze
with the clergy of this educational institution and those of Sioni
Cathedral Temple participated in the event. The service was
attended to by the professors, teachers and students of Tbilisi
Theological Academy and Seminary. It is noteworthy that the choir
of the institution joined in the celebration, as well.
Before the
commencement of the Akathist, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) delivered
a sermon. The Locum Tenants of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All
Georgia congratulated the professors, teachers and students of
Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary on the commencement of the
new academic year and conveyed the Catholicos-Patriarch’s blessing
to them. He emphasized that a good education is of paramount
importance; however, solely the education acquired from books is
not sufficient for happiness, but spirituality is indispensable in
gaining the latter. The path leading to happiness is that of
Godliness, a God pleasing life to which a human being is taught in
the Orthodox Church. At the end of his sermon, Metropolitan Shio
(Mujiri) admonished the students to ponder on the mentioned
subjects.