On February 8, two remarkable
events are celebrated in Georgia - Commemoration of Saint King
David the Restorer and the day of the foundation of Georgian
University. On February 6, 2023, a scientific conference dedicated
to these events was held at Tbilisi Theological Academy and
Seminary. The Vice-Rector for the Scientific Field, Doctor of
Theology, Deacon Tsotne Chkheidze addressed the gathered audience
with his welcome speech. As proof of the recognition by the
Georgian nation and the Orthodox Church of the indelible merits of
this great King and great man Saint David the Restorer, he recalled
the words of Ilia Chavchavadze: “The Church of Georgia, which has
always devotedly taken care of our nation and never let the nation
forget its glory, praises and glorifies the outstanding King David
on January 26, who, with the blessing of the Church, is called
Restorer as an everlasting memorial by the infallible judgment of
the nation.” He noted that the newly founded university was to be
responsible for the mission of intellectual and spiritual
advancement of the nation. Eldar Bubulashvili, Professor of Tbilisi
Theological Academy and Seminary, Doctor of historical sciences,
Academician of Gelati Academy of Sciences, presented a speech,
titled – “The Holy King David the Restorer”. The speaker spoke
exhaustively about the merits of King David the Restorer, the
governmental, ecclesiastical, military, socio-economic and
cultural- educational reforms implemented by him, his personal
virtues, which were his charity and religious tolerance, about the
most important battle fought by the King against the Seljuk Turk,
known as the Battle of Didgori or the “Great Victory” (August 12,
1121).
To attest the special authority
of King David the Restorer the world over at that time with
interesting facts, Mr. Eldar touched on the references preserved in
historical sources about the Holy Grail and the Cross of Anselus,
which, according to some presumptions, are also related to the name
of King David the Restorer. Professor Sergo Vardosanidze, Head of
the Department of History of Georgia, Doctor of Historical Sciences
and Theology, presented the speech, titled “February 8 Is the Day
of the Foundation of Tbilisi University” to the audience. The
scholar talked about the important events that preceded the
establishment of the university. He noted that, although the first
university was opened on February 8, 1918, the idea of establishing
a university arose much earlier, at the beginning of the 19th
century. The speaker dwelt on the special merit of Ilia the
Righteous and the figures of the 60s in terms of implementing this
idea, about the difficulties that followed the implementation of
this great idea, about Ivane Javakhishvili’s tireless efforts to
establish the first Georgian university and the first rectors and
professors of the university. At the end of his speech, Mr. Sergo
noted, precisely, on the roots of the University all the other
important educational centers in Georgia have grown.
The work of the conference was
summarized by the Rector of Tbilisi Theological Academy and
Seminary, Protopresbyter Giorgi Zviadadze. He thanked the
participants of the conference for their deep, thorough and very
meaningful analysis of the mentioned issues.