Member Universities of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia Honored the Memory of the Patriarch

“Representatives of the member universities of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia pay tribute to the bright memory of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia with special sorrow and gratitude, and pay tribute to his immortal soul. The most important thing for us is that the future generation of Georgia stands with teachers in the Trinity Cathedral to deeply understand the immeasurable contribution that the spiritual father and outstanding defender of education, science and national consciousness – Ilia II made with love and dedication during his long career,” made a statement the rector of the Georgian Technical University, Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia, Academician David Gurgenidze, at the civil funeral of the spiritual father of Georgia, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, in Sameba.

Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia, Academician David Gurgenidze, along with the rectors of the universities, representatives of the administration, and students, arrived in a procession at the Sameba Cathedral.

“In the modern world, where technological progress and the abundance of information determine the pace of development, the humane and value dimension of education acquires special importance. The Patriarch’s teaching is based on the main postulate of personal development – education is the acquisition of professional skills that form responsibility, a sense of justice, and the ability to empathize with a person. Thus, the academic space is obligated not only to be a temple of knowledge, but also a center for the formation of values. It is precisely such education, which combines intellectual depth, spiritual strength, and ethical responsibility, that is the solid foundation on which the future development of the country should be built. This is the path that the Patriarch has paved for us, the path that ensures the upbringing of professionals and the formation of young people as worthy citizens, which in itself ultimately determines the stability and progress of the state. Today, when we stand together, we feel with particular intensity that the spiritual and educational legacy is alive and will continue in future generations. It is in this unity, in this communion, that the main essence of the life mission of the spiritual father of the nation is revealed – the formation of an educated, spiritually strong, and responsible society.

On behalf of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia and the Georgian Technical University, I express my condolences to the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, the clergy, the parish and every citizen on the passing of the spiritual father of Georgia, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. May his memory be eternal!” said Academician David Gurgenidze.

The procession was attended by rectors, professors, and students of accredited universities in Georgia. The funeral service for the Patriarch’s soul was held by the High Priest of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetritskaro, member of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church, head of the Theological Educational and Scientific Center of the Georgian Technical University, and chairman of the Standing Commission for Establishing the Real History of the Patriarchate, Reverend Anania.