Jerusalem Patriarch awards Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili

The Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III awarded the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili with the Order of the Knight of the Holy Sepulcher of Christ and the decorated cross of the Savior, the Government of Georgia press office reported on Tuesday.

 

The Patriarch hosted the Georgian  delegation at his residency.

 

Theophilus III wished Garibashvili “to always be protected and inspired by the Savior.”

 

Garibashvili thanked Patriarch Theophilus III for the award and for his personal contribution to the transfer of a plot of land near the Jordan River, near the place of baptism of the Savior, where a Georgian cultural center will be built.

 

He stressed the “strong historical ties” between the Georgian and Jerusalem churches and the “special importance of the visit” of Patriarch Theophilus III to Georgia.

 

While in Israel Garibashvili visited the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem on Monday where he was greeted by Archbishop Filumen.

 

Garibashvili gifted the icon of Luca the Jerusalem Native to the monastery.

 

He laid flowers at the monument of Shota Rustaveli, an iconic Georgian  poet, when visiting the monastery on Shota Rustaveli Street.

 

While in the country the PM also paid tribute to the memory of Holocaust victims and met top Israeli officials.

 

Garibashvili held a meeting  with Yair Lapid, Alternate Prime and Foreign Affairs Minister of the State of Israel, where the top officials praised friendship existing between the two countries “as exemplary” and noted  30 years of diplomatic relations have served “as clear evidence of it.”

 

“Readiness was expressed by both sides towards further deepening of the successful cooperation in various fields in the future,” said the Government’s press office.

 

Main topics of discussion of a meeting with Mickey Levy, Knesset Speaker included the “positive trend of development relations between the two countries and successful cooperation in various fields, including those between the legislative authorities.”

 

“Significance of deepening partnership has been highlighted both in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as challenges in the field of security. It was noted that the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, celebrated on June 1, is a significant basis for further strengthening bilateral relations.”

 

Garibashvili noted that Georgia “highly valued” the “solid and unwavering position” of the State of Israel towards the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia.