Georgian Patriarch Receives Newly Appointed US Ambassador

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Georgia, Kelly Degnan.

The Georgian Patriarchate reports that the meeting focused on the friendly relations between the United States and Georgia and the challenges the country is currently facing.

At the meeting, the Patriarch emphasized the need for a peaceful return of the occupied territories and expressed gratitude for the US support for Georgia.

"There are many problems, but there is more hope," Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II said.

The US ambassador thanked the Patriarch for the warm welcome and noted that the US would continue to actively support Georgia.

In addition, according to the Patriarchate, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), spoke about the visit of the Georgian Orthodox Church delegation to the United States in October last year and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation.

The Ambassador was also addressed by the Chairman of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Patriarchate of Georgia, Metropolitan Gerasim (Sharashenidze) of Zugdidi and Tsaishi, Metropolitan Andrew of Gori and Ateni (Gavazava), Representative of the Georgian Patriarchate in Interreligious Council, Tea Gogotishvili and the Chairman of the Board of NGO 'Connection 21st Century' Paata Gachechiladze.

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia congratulated Kelly Degnan on his appointment as Ambassador and wished her success.

Degnan arrived in Georgia on January 29 to start her tenure.

By Ana Dumbadze 

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