The traditions and rich heritage of Georgian Orthodox culture were put in the spotlight at the sixth annual Orthodox Christmas Gala earlier this month. The joyous event, which featured dancing and Georgian gastronomy, brought together bishops, clergy, parishioners and members of the public for a special evening at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The gala on Friday 10th January brought together Orthodox faithful from Monaco’s diverse communities—Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Georgian and Greek—as well as numerous dignitaries from Monaco, France and beyond. The event was hosted by His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe and organised by the St. Elena Parish’s president, Alexander Hagerty, alongside various committee members, including Ekaterina Ordzhonikidze, Committee President; President of the Georgian Red Cross, Natia Loladze; and Vice-President of the Orthodox Church of Monaco, Victoria Bolker-Hagerty.
Esteemed guests
Among the most honoured guests of the evening was a Georgian delegation representing His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilya II of Georgia. The delegation included His Eminence Metropolitan Sava of Khoni and Samtredia, His Grace Bishop Vachtang of Margveti and Ubisi and Patriarchal Protopresbyter George Zviadadze, who also serves as Rector of Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary. More locally, the evening was graced by the presence of Danielle Cottalorda of the Monaco Red Cross, French Ambassador to Monaco Jean d’Haussonville and member of the National Council of Monaco Guillaume Rose.
The evening began with a Christmas service, the moleben, at the Parish of St. Elena, the first Russian Orthodox Parish in Monaco, followed by a gourmet dinner at the Yacht Club de Monaco courtesy of renowned Georgian chef Irakli Asatiani and his team. The event featured speeches, musical and dance performances, presentations and a Sotheby’s Monaco auction, with proceeds benefiting the Monaco Red Cross, the Georgian Red Cross and the Monaco Parish. Sandra Gadelia’s blend of traditional and modern Georgian music was enjoyed by all, while a Georgian chant by the world-renowned Basiani choir and the performances by the Mandili Dance Ensemble enhanced the authenticity of the evening.
During the evening, Bishop Irenei extended Christmas greetings and spoke of the remarkable history of the Georgian Orthodox Church. His Eminence Metropolitan Sava, meanwhile, conveyed warm greetings from the Georgian Patriarch, highlighted the rich heritage of Holy Orthodoxy in Georgia and expressed gratitude for the honour of being featured at the gala.
The event’s success was made possible by generous sponsors, including Tiara Group, Caviar House & Prunier, Visconti and Banque Richelieu Monaco.
Hagerty praised all involved in the evening, saying, “After our success last year in honouring Bulgaria, the choice of Georgia could not have been better, continuing with another historic Orthodox country, while having its own cuisine, dance and music specific to Georgia. We are extremely proud of our parishioners and generous guests, and thank them for their presence which will bear fruit for our parish of St. Elena, the Red Cross and Georgia.”
To see more photographs from the event, click on the images below:
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Photos credit: Eglise orthodoxe de Monaco – Ste Elena / Philip Andrukhovich
