President says Patriarch Ilia II “let Georgia into Europe” as Georgian chants heard in Sistine Chapel

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has stated that the country’s Patriarch Ilia II “let Georgia into Europe,” as the Patriarchy Choir of Tbilisi Holy Trinity (Sameba) Cathedral held a concert, singing Georgian chants, in Sistine Chapel in Vatican on Sunday.

“This concert of Georgian chants in the Sistine Chapel has been a personal dream of the Georgian Patriarch. His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. He could not join us in Vatican tonight but I am glad his dream came true,” Zourabichvili tweeted on Sunday,

“We witnessed a great moment in the long ties between Georgia and the Holy See,” she suggested.

The President stated that last year, when visiting the Holy See, she talked with Pope Francis about planning the event as a celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Vatican.

“Tonight, we saw this emotional moment that will remain in our memories. My deepest gratitude to Pope Francis,” said the President.

The Georgian Culture Ministry said that they had done their utmost to ensure the event be held.