Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 10/ Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
Foreign guests have been invited to the celebrations to be held between January 10-14 in connection with 80th birthday of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II and the 35th anniversary of his enthronement.
High ranking hierarchs such as the patriarchs of Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Serbia, Russia and other countries are among the invited guests. Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I arrived in the country to congratulate the Georgian patriarch.
The head of the Georgian Church will receive the guests at the Patriarchate residence on Thursday.
A one-day conference will be held in the Georgian Patriarch's University named after St. Andrew at 10 a.m. January 11. Guests will meet parliamentary speaker David Usupashvili and Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on the same day. A concert dedicated to the anniversary dates will be held at 8 p.m.
On January 12 the guests will visit the David Gareji, Shiomghvime and Bodbe monasteries.
The Patriarch of Georgia will hold a service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at 10 a.m. January 13 together with foreign patriarchs. Guests will leave Georgia on January 14.