The Patriarch’s visit to mountainous Adjara and the mass baptism

The Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Shio, is in the Skhalta Diocese, in the village of Khichauri, Shuakhevi Municipality. This is the Patriarch's first visit to mountainous Adjara since his enthronement. The Patriarch celebrated the liturgy together with bishops and clergy at the Cathedral of the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, located at Tbel Abuseridze University. Imedi+5

After the liturgy concluded, a mass baptism was held in the cathedral courtyard. Reports regarding the number of baptism participants differ: ImediNews, Rustavi 2, and Mtavari Arkhi report that more than 1,200 people were baptized. At the same time, according to the State Agency for Religious Issues, the Patriarch baptized up to 1,500 people. Imedi+5

The event was attended by the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues, Zaza Vashakmadze, the Head of the Legal Support Service, Vladimir Macharashvili, and the Agency's coordinator in Adjara, Abesalom Aslanidze. After the liturgy, the Patriarch delivered a sermon. Interpressnews+2