Georgia`s refurbished medieval cathedral Bagrati consecrated
16.09.12 17:42
Divine Service, which had been suspended for over two centuries at Bagrati Cathedral, the 11th-century cathedral church in Georgia`s second largest city Kutaisi of Imereti Region, has been resumed.
Numbers of people, including politicians assembled in the refurbished cathedral today to attend its consecration.
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili also arrived at the cathedral with his wife and younger son.
Along with the government members, representatives of the political opposition attended the liturgy at the cathedral. Among them were members of the Georgian Dream coalition, except its leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Free Georgia Party, the Christian Democratic Movement, the Labour Party and the National Democratic Party.
Chairman of Georgian Parliament and the parliamentary majority members also attended the liturgy.
Georgian Catholicos Patriarch Ilia II called on the authorities as well as the opposition at Sunday service on September 9, 2012 to attend the divine service which is being conducted at the Bagrati Cathedral today.
The Cathedral was built in the early years of the 11th century, during the reign of King Bagrat III due to which it was called "Bagrati" Cathedral, i.e., Bagrat’s cathedral. It was regarded a symbol of unity of Georgia.
Restoration of the cathedral which was critically damaged started on the initiative of President Saakashvili three years ago.
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