Mikheil Saakashvili hosted the World Patriarch -Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I, who is currently in Georgia, and His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II at the Presidential Palace today.

The Head of State and the World Patriarch once again congratulated Ilia II on his birthday and the 35^th anniversary of his enthronization. The President of Georgia spoke about the great merit of the Patriarch and noted that this date is a celebration for the entire nation.

In his turn, the World Patriarch once again thanked Mikheil Saakashvili for the heartfelt welcome, blessed the entire country of Georgia and Ilia II, as well as the President of Georgia, and wished them long life and prosperous strength.

The Catholicos Patriarch of All of Georgia Ilia II, the Patriarchs of Serbia and Bulgaria as well as the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Davit Usupashvili attended the meeting.

Mikheil Saakshvili thanked Bartholomew I for participating in the Patriarch’s celebration.

“Your holiness, it is a great honor for us to have you in Georgia, where you are greatly respected not only as a spiritual father, but as a distinguished person. We will always welcome your arrival because you are a very special friend of Georgia, and we are grateful for the contribution you have made in strengthening the Orthodox Church; also for your contribution in terms of dialogue between regions.

It is an honor for us that your visit coincided with our Patriarch’s 35^th anniversary of his enthronization and his 80^th birthday. This is an expression of great respect from your side. Of course, we all love our Patriarch very much, and this is why we are grateful to you. This date is not only the Patriarch’s celebration but a national one as well” – noted the President of Georgia.

He also thanked the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia for his contribution in organizing this event.

In his turn, Davit Usupashvili once again thanked Bartholomew I for arriving in Georgia during the anniversary of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, and the Patriarch for his merit before the Georgian Orthodox Church in terms of strengthening it.

The World Patriarch noted during the conversation that it is important that he has arrived in Georgia during the Patriarch’s birthday and enthronization anniversary.

“It is a very pleasant fact for us that we have arrived during this event. I wish His Holiness and Beatitude long life so that he can serve the Georgian Church and people, and I bless the entire country of Georgia and you Your Excellency. I wish you prosperity and integrity so that you serve Georgia productively” – noted Bartholomew I.

After the end of the meeting, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch His All-Holiness, Bartholomew I gave the President of Georgia a symbolic gift, after which a celebration dinner was served in His honor at the Presidential Palace, where the Amagleba Church Choir Boys Team and Sofia Nizharadze performed a song composed by the Patriarch – “Strong Divinity.” His Holiness and Beatitude recalled the story of creating the song, and blessed the entire nation, the President, and attending audience in the name of Holy Mary.