Within the framework of the
visit, on the invitation of the Rector of Tbilisi Theological
Academy and Seminary Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze, a meeting
with the Georgian students of the University of Athens was
held. The participants
talked about their studies and achievements. The Rector of
the Academy and Seminary noted that to support and maintain
contacts with students living and studying abroad is of paramount
importance.
Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze,
Archimandrite Seraphim (Chedia) and Archpriest Shalva Kekelia spoke
about the importance of a stalwart adherence to the Church and
ecclesiastical teaching, respect for the ecclesiastical hierarchy
which every student should have; the norms of Canonical Law and
Christian ethics should be kept; the students should live a life of
a Christian in the bosom of the Church; they should acquire a
profound knowledge in theological sciences and with all this make
his personal contribution to the revival and strengthening of the
Georgian Christian thought and Christian life.
To guarantee the further
support for the students living in Athens, the representative of
the Embassy of Georgia in Greece, Senior Counselor Mrs. Dea
Mumladze and the clergymen working in Athens – Archimandrite
Abbibos (Tariades) and the graduate of the Programme of Theology at
the University of Athens, Hierodeacon Nicholoz (Khvichia) were
invited to the meeting.
The delegation imparted on the
students the information about the meeting with the Dean of the
School of Theology at the University of Athens and the plans
settled for the future cooperation. This cooperation encompasses
the exchange of students within the framework of the programme of
Theology, personnel training for the further development of the
programmes and conducting of joint events dedicated to scientific
activities. The students are also informed about the current
changes and novelties at Tbilisi Theological Academy and
Seminary.