On December 25, 2017, the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of Ilia II and the Patriarch’s 85th birthday were celebrated especially solemnly in Georgia.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; sent a letter of congratulations to His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II; on his glorious jubilees.

The Armenian Diocese in Georgia organized a classical music concert dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II; and the millennia-long Armenian-Georgian relations. The concert featured musicians, who came from different European countries. The concert was held in the Small Hall of the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory.

The hall was crowded. In attendance were Armenian and Georgian music lovers.

The occasion was honored with the presence of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan; and Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese and ruler of Georgian parish in South America. Michael Avagyan, Head of Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; summed up the millennia-long cooperation and friendship between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church. Our two nations many times have been standing at the crossroads of history, and through fraternal love of their leaders created the Christian culture, spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The speaker citing the words of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II; on the fact that Georgia and Armenia are Christian oasis in a Muslim world, highlighted that for 40 years the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia has kept the torch of the faith of Georgians alight. The speaker read a letter of congratulations from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

Metropolitan Nikoloz Pachuashvili of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese offered his appreciation remarks. He attached importance to the fact that the Armenian Diocese in Georgia celebrated in such way the 40th anniversary of the enthronement of Ilia II and the Patriarch’s 85th birthday, highlighted the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Georgian Churches, noted that a new impetus has been given to this cooperation under the rule of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II; and His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The classical music concert featured performances of the works of Aram Khachaturian, Schubert, Kreisler, Schuman, Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, by pianist Mamikon Nahapetyan, clarinet player Dimitri Bokolishvili and musician Hovhannhes Hambardzumyan.