The defense was
attended by the Rector of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary,
PhD in Theology and Philology, Protopresbyter George Zviadadze and
the academic staff of the school.
Mr. Lasha Zaalishvili's Master's
Degree thesis is dedicated to the unique collection known as the
"Treasure of the 10th Century" - "Michael Modrikili’s Yearly Book
of Hymns" and the preserved in it hymnographic canon of the Holy
Fathers. The supervisor of the thesis is PhD of
Philology, Professor Lela Khachidze, who explained the objective
and novelty of the Master’s Degree thesis and the perspectives of
further research necessary to be done on the subject.
"Michael
Modrekili’s ‘Yearly Book of Hymns’" deserves attention from
philological, historical, theological, liturgical and musicological
points of view. The research done on the work has long begun and
continues today. Most notable is the merit of Academician K.
Kekelidze, P. Ingorokva and Acadademician E. Metreveli.
Michael
Modrekili’s Yearly Book of Hymns is important in many respects.
Therefore, the fact that the seeker of the Master's Degree has
taken interest in this manuscript is particularly
important.
Mr. Lasha
Zaalishvili was thoroughly acquainted with the main scientific
literature on "Michael Modrekili’s Yearly Book of Hymns" and based
on these studies he also presented his observations on one of the
hymnographic canons, namely, the theological content of the hymn of
the Holy Fathers.
It is noteworthy
that the Yearly Book of Hymns contains ancient Georgian musical
notation - neumes and it is also unique in this respect; Mr. Lasha
Zaalishvili's thesis deals with this issue and analyzes the
neumatic notation attached to the text from the musicological point
of view, which is one of the merits of the work.
It should be noted
that Mr. Lasha Zaalishvili has graduated from Tbilisi State
Conservatoire of V. Sarajishvili (holds the academic Master's
Degree in the Art of Music).
According to PhD in
Philology, Professor Lela Khachidze, Mr. Lasha Zaalishvili has
accomplished his goal well.
The Rector, PhD of Theology and Philology, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze and professors and teachers of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary expressed their personal opinions about the work of Mr. Lasha Zaalishvili: PhD in Theology and Philology, Professor Edisher Chelidze, PhD in Theology and Philology, Professor, Archpriest Bidzina Gunia, PhD in Theology, Professor, Archdeacon Demetre (Davitashvili), PhD in Philology, Professor, Mrs. Gvantsa Koplatadze, PhD in Philosophy, Professor, Mrs. Rusudan Tsikvadze and others.
The Rector, PhD of Theology and Philology, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze and professors and teachers of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary expressed their personal opinions about the work of Mr. Lasha Zaalishvili: PhD in Theology and Philology, Professor Edisher Chelidze, PhD in Theology and Philology, Professor, Archpriest Bidzina Gunia, PhD in Theology, Professor, Archdeacon Demetre (Davitashvili), PhD in Philology, Professor, Mrs. Gvantsa Koplatadze, PhD in Philosophy, Professor, Mrs. Rusudan Tsikvadze and others.
The members of the
Scientific Council unanimously stated that the defense of Master's
Degree theses is maintained at a high academic level, the topics
are carried out according to scientific research methods, which is
the result of thorough theoretical knowledge of Theology gained in
this school.
Professor Edisher
Chelidze noted that such studies should be carried out in the bosom
of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary since the philological
and theological knowledge is harmoniously combined in this school.
Correctness of this opinion is evidenced by today's defense and an
interesting discourse which the defense was followed with.
The work was assessed as
excellent and the Master’s Degree was conferred on Mr. Lasha
Zaalishvili.