On February 12, 2018, the International Conference “Religion and Public Life” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of restoration of suspended Autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church was held in Tbilisi.

The President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and the Locum Tenens of the Catholic-Patriarch, Metropolitan Shio addressed the attendees. The Conference was attended by MPs, representatives of the Government and Presidential Administration, members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Georgia, clergymen of the Georgian Orthodox Church as well as foreign guests.

In attendance was the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan.

The speakers noted that Georgian Orthodox Church has contributed invaluable mite to the country, its political and social development, as a unifying force spreading peace in society.

The speakers emphasized the importance of restoration of suspended Autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church, spoke about the merit of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II that Georgian Church resumed autocephaly and Georgia has maintained and enhanced historical tradition of our tolerance. The attendees spoke about relations between the religion and society and discussed other relevant issues.