A
mong the participants of the celebratory visit were such important guests of honour as The Right Reverend Richard Pain, Bishop of Monmouth and The Very Reverend Lister Tonge, Dean of Monmouth. On behalf of whole Georgia they were splendidly hosted by the Rector of Gelati theological seminary dean Irakli Akhaladze and the Head of the History Department, professor Levan Tkeshelashvili.

Very warm and friendly relationships were formed between the guests from Newport and the citizens of Kutaisi from the very first day. Bishop Richard and Father Lister got very interested in the ancient history and culture of Georgia. They were fascinated by the frescoes and mosaic preserved in the Gelati cathedral. It should be noted that they were surprised to learn that so many young Georgian people are religious and go to church regularly. In their turn the guests told us a lot of interesting things about the studies and beliefs of Anglican church.

Bishop Richard and Father Lister visited the Gelati cathedral, the church of Motsameta, Bagrati temple, Kutaisi State Historical Museum with its gold fund and ethnographic section, and the Sataplia cave and preserve. There was also a visit to Gelati theological academy and seminary where Bishop Richard and Dean Lister were hosted by the Rector of the Academy, dean Irakli Akhaladze, dean Besarion Khvistani, dean Petre Gabunia, deacon Michel Kvantaliani and professor Levan Tkeshelashvili. The representatives of both religions had very interesting and comprehensive conversations during these days.

We believe that the visit by bishop Richard and Dean Lister will further strengthen and deepen the relationship between Kutaisi and Newport. It may well be thought that this link of the twinning will be beneficial for Kutaisi and Newport in the future.

Assistant Professor Nana Gorgodze

English Philology Department