Georgian PM celebrates arrival of unique Ioane-Zosime manuscript, thanks Bidzina Ivanishvili for his contribution

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday celebrated the arrival of the unique Ioane-Zosime manuscript in Georgia.

The Prime Minister emphasised the significance of the event, extending his gratitude to Bidzina Ivanishvili - the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party - for his role in facilitating this important cultural moment.

“The arrival of this unique manuscript, palimpsest in Georgia is sheer joy. The philanthropy of Bidzina Ivanishvili has been directed toward protecting and preserving national identity, and this particular act of charity is yet another demonstration of this. And I thank him for it. We are very excited because this treasure will find an abode in its rightful place in our country, and I join our country's population and all of Georgia in celebrating this”, the PM said.

Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, the Locum Tenens of the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, noted that Bidzina Ivanishvili had enriched Georgian cultural heritage with this acquisition.

“As we are celebrating an extraordinary event, the delivery of this glorious manuscript, palimpsest to Georgia today, we are pondering our cultural heritage, historical antiquities, and their importance. The protection and preservation of our historical holy relics is of major importance. I would like to express particular gratitude to Bidzina Ivanishvili who, with this acquisition, has enriched our cultural heritage”, His Eminence Metropolitan Shio said.

The manuscript, created and bound by the Georgian ecclesiastical figure Ioane-Zosime, arrived in Georgia on Wednesday through the initiative and efforts of Bidzina Ivanishvili.

This sacred manuscript will be handed over to the Georgian National Museum, where it will be preserved in its Golden Fund, also on Ivanishvili's initiative.