The first icons designated for churches of the Russian Orthodox Church have been consecrated in Georgia, reports the diaspora organization “Georgian FNKA of Russia” (Federal National-Cultural Autonomy). The consecration took place on September 10 at the Samtavro Monastery as part of the large-scale “Praying Together” project. The holy images will soon be sent to Russia.
“The initial icons were created using personal funds from the leaders of Georgian national-cultural associations across various regions of Russia. As early as October, they will be presented as gifts to Russian churches,” the organization stated.
The consecration ceremony was held near the relics of Saint Gabriel Urgebadze. The first icons depict the “great holy elders of Russia and Georgia”—Father Gabriel himself and Saint Seraphim of Sarov. This icon has been titled “Friendship of the Peoples of Russia and Georgia.”
The organization’s vice president, Lasha Tsitsilashvili, arrived in Georgia to participate in the event.
According to the “Georgian FNKA of Russia,” future plans under the “Praying Together” project include an exchange of holy relics between Russia and Georgia, as well as the implementation of “other Orthodox initiatives.”
It should be noted that David Tsetskhladze has headed the Georgian National-Cultural Association of Russia since 2021. In 2024, by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he was appointed to the Council on Interethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation. Until then, no representative of the Georgian diaspora had served on the council.