Metropolitan Grigoli
His Eminence Prof. Dr. Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti and Khobi
(Guram Berbichashvili)
Born July 18th, 1956.
Education
2014-2017 – PhD (Grigol Robakidze University). PhD thesis title: "Iona Khelashvili's Metaphysical Conception"
1990-1994 – Tbilisi Theological Academy
1988-1990 – Tbilisi Theological Seminary
1974-1976 – civil aviation college (Krivoi Rog, Ukraine)
Ecclesiastical life
October 14th, 1989 – was ordained deacon at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral by Metropolitan Konstantine of Batumi and Shemokmedi.
March 27th, 1990 – was ordained priest at the Batumi Cathedral of the Birth of the Virgin Mary by Metropolitan Konstantine of Batumi and Shemokmedi.
April, 1990 – became dean of Likhauri Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary (Ozurgeti municipality).
November, 1990 – was appointed dean at Achi St. George church.
February, 2nd, 1994 – was ordained archpriest and awarded with golden cross by Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia.
1991-1995 – was supervising courses in canonical law for teachers in Ozurgeti.
1991-1996 – editor of Orthodox Christian journal Tskaro.
May 30th, 1995 – by decree of Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia was appointed rector at Ozurgeti St. Nino Gymnasium.
March 14th, 1996 – was appointed Bishop of Poti according to the decision of the Holy Synod of Georgian Apostolic Church.
March 21st, 1996 – was ordained monk.
March 23rd, 1996 – was consecrated archimandrite and awarded with beautified cross and mitre.
March 24th, 1996 – was consecrated Bishop of Poti by Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
September 7th, 2003 – was consecrated archbishop.
June 3rd, 2007 – was consecrated metropolitan.
1996-2003 – Head of the Department of the Georgian Patriarchate for the Armed forces and Law Enforcement Institutions.
2003-present – Head of the Department of the Georgian Patriarchate for Publishing and Reviewing.
2005-2008 – Head of the representative committee of the Georgian Patriarchate for the relationship with state on the issues of education.
2010-present – Editor-in-chief of Uplis tsikhe, Journal of the Georgian Patriarchate.
May 14th, 2022 - by the decision of the board of trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, was awarded an honorary doctorate for his efforts in ministry and education.
Ecclesiastical and state awards:
December 25th, 2007 – St. George’s golden order (by decree of Catholicos Patriarch of all Georgia).
September 16th, 2008 – Vakhtang Gorgasali Order of First Class (by decree No. 611 of President of Georgia).
September 13th, 2012 – Presidential Order of Excellence (by decree No. 13/09/01 of President of Georgia).
November 4th, 2013 – Order of St. Nicholas (by decree No. 04/11/04 of President of Georgia).
Angel’s day – 7th February, feast day of St. Gregory the Theologian.
Selected works
“Metaphysics of Freedom according to Iona Khelashvili”, in: T. Iremadze (ed.), The Idea of Freedom in Philosophy, Theology, and Social Sciences, Tbilisi, 2016, pp. 76-90.
“About Some Unknown Aspects of Iona Khelashvili’s (1778-1837) Life and Work”, in: European Scientific Journal, special edition, vol. 2 (November, 2014), pp. 146-152.
“Reconsidering the Biography of Iona Khelashvili”, in: T. Iremadze (ed.), Early Modern Georgian Philosophy and Its Major Representatives, Tbilisi, 2014, pp. 101-116.
“Christianity and Human Rights”, Uplis tsikhe, Georgian Patriarchate, No. 3, Tbilisi, 2014, pp. 18-26.
“Human Rights in the Contemporary Context and Their Actuality”, Guli gonieri, No. 7, Tbilisi, 2014, pp. 7-22.
On Some Actual Problems of Philosophy of Human Rights, Tbilisi, 2013.
Law is good, if a man use it lawfully, Ozurgeti, 1995.
A Short Catechism of Orthodox Christian Church for Catechumens, Ozurgeti, 1992.
Contact:
Poti, 1 Guria St.
Tbilisi, 1 Erekle square. T/Fax: 2-92 33 18
