Georgia’s National Day was celebrated on Wednesday at the Festivitas Reception Hall of the Romanian Patriarchate’s Palace in Bucharest, where Georgian Ambassador Tamar Beruchashvili highlighted the Church’s decisive role in shaping and preserving Georgian national identity.
The event was attended by Ana Cristina Tinca, state secretary for strategic affairs within Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of the diplomatic corps and religious communities.
Representing the Romanian Patriarchate were Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești and members of the Patriarchal Administration.
Relationship between the Georgian state and the Church
In her address, Ambassador Tamar Beruchashvili underlined the historical and spiritual significance of this year’s celebration, noting that Georgia’s independence is deeply connected to the country’s Christian identity.
“Today we celebrate Georgia’s Independence Day, a powerful symbol of our nation’s resilience, unity and unwavering commitment to freedom. This year’s celebration carries special significance as we mark 1,700 years since the proclamation of Christianity as Georgia’s state religion.”
“For 17 centuries, the State and the Church have worked together to build the spiritual and national foundations that preserved our identity during the most difficult periods of history.”
Strengthening ties between Georgia and Romania
The ambassador also spoke about the strengthening of Romanian-Georgian relations in the political, economic, military and cultural fields.
She highlighted the growing interest of Romanians in travelling to Georgia, noting that the number of Romanian visitors increased by 15% over the past year.
The diplomat also announced a new direct air connection.
“Starting from 1 July, the Romanian company Dan Air will operate direct flights between Bucharest and Tbilisi twice a week. Therefore, I invite you to place Georgia on your travel list.”
State Secretary Ana Cristina Tinca underlined the close relationship between the two countries and its spiritual dimension.
“Georgia and Romania are connected through a longstanding friendship, and Georgians and Romanians have much in common.”
“The fact that this reception is organised here today bears witness to the profoundly spiritual ties uniting Romanians and Georgians,” she added.
A saint shared by both peoples
Bishop Varlaam conveyed Patriarch Daniel’s congratulatory message and highlighted the ecclesiastical dimension of relations between the two peoples, connected through Saint Anthimos the Iberian, a Georgian.
The bishop also praised the Georgian Embassy’s efforts to cultivate the memory of the saintly metropolitan.
“The ambassador has played an important role in promoting the veneration of the saint, bringing to Antim Monastery — founded by a Georgian — official delegations from Georgia, as well as groups of pilgrims and young people who sang during the Divine Liturgy.”
During the event, Ambassador Tamar Beruchashvili received from Patriarch Daniel the Order of the “Cross of Saint Maria Brâncoveanu”.
The ambassador thanked the Romanian Patriarchate for supporting joint projects dedicated to promoting Romanian-Georgian spiritual heritage.
In this context, she referred to the bilingual editorial project “Saint Anthimos the Iberian – Son of Georgia and Father of Wallachia”, created by Georgian playwright Vasil Janikashvili, announcing that a theatrical production inspired by the work “will soon be staged both in Tbilisi and Bucharest through the collaboration of the national theatre and film universities of the two countries.”
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Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
