On November 8, 2015, Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, Pastor of Kvemo Kartli region at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, and accompanying persons attended exhibition named “Ilia and Religious Tolerance” in Kvareli, dedicated to the 178th birth anniversary of Ilia Chavchavadze. The event was organized by the State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia and the Ilia Chavchavadze House Museum.

In attendance of the festival were the representatives of Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic Churches, Muslim and Jewish religious communities, they saw exhibits and learned that Ilia Chavchavadze was a talented writer, national figure and great humanist, who was officially declared a secular saint by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

The Head of the State Agency for Religious Issues, Zaza Vashakmadze and Metropolitan Sergy Chekurishvili of Nekresi Diocese delivered a speech; they emphasized a tolerant environment dominating in Georgia for centuries, and highlighted the role of Ilia Chavchavadze in this process.

Father Khoren Hovhannisyan greeted attendees and expressed his admiration for the diversity and tolerant environment, which exists in Georgia. Father Hovhannisyan remembered the words of theologian and Catholicos, St. Nerses Shnorhali, XII: “Be united over essential issues, feel free in secondary issues and love everywhere.” He also added: “Although these words were said nine centuries ago, they still sound true today. We, people living in Georgia should be guided by the same set of principles, because we are the sons and daughters of the same Creator, we are united by that. And if we have any differences, those make us unique and beautiful,”- concluded Father Khoren.

The State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia and the Ilia Chavchavadze House Museum signed a memorandum of cooperation, while gifts were handed out.