Divine Liturgy
SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY

The activity of Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Mission in Georgia began in the most difficult for the its citizens and country independence history time. On Father Benyamin Beth Yadgar arrival, a group was established to teach native Aramaic writing. Knowledge of the language and writing facilitated the study of Liturgy structure and reading of the Holy Scripture. After some time, the graduates of the classes read in church the message of St. Paul in their native language. Since the foundation of Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Mission in Georgia father Benyamin conducts the Divine liturgy according to Chaldean Rite (one of the three anaphors traditionally used in the Liturgy of the Eastern Churches.) All the church Sacraments are performed in accordance with traditions of the Chaldean Rite. Calculations in Chaldean Church are led by Gregorian Calendar.

Initially the Liturgy was held in Tbilisi in Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul and also in Gardabani. The liturgy was conducted in Tbilisi every Thursday at 4 o'clock. This was the only free time offered to our community. Of course, it was very difficult for people to attend Liturgy at this time of the day. Later Saturday was provided for the Liturgy. Assyrians of all ages and confessions became the parishioners of the church.

Economical crisis which has become the main reason of unemployment and immigration afflicted the citizens of Gardabani. Gardabani is 33 kilometers away from Tbilisi. The majority of population are Azerbajanians. Assyrians settled down here in 1956-1957. Before this they lived in Hanlar (a town in Azerbaijan). In 1990s about 80 families of Catholic Assyrians (Botanae) and nearly the same number of Orthodox Assyrians (Urmijnae) lived in Gardabani. After the 90's, many went to work in neighboring countries, mainly to Russia and Europe. Gradually, some of them took families with them and the population of Assyrians almost halved. Those who stayed were in dire need, almost living on financial support sent by their relatives. It was very expensive to come from Gardabani to Tbilisi for the liturgy every week and few of the Gardabani residents could afford it then. On average transportation expenses of the family, consisting of three people, were equaled to a monthly pension. Although there were such people who in spite of extreme hardship still were arriving.

Every Thursday Father Benyamin went to Gardabani and served the Liturgy in the house of an active parishioner Janna Avro. He often took members of the choir from Tbilisi who helped him to teach people the Rite of the Liturgy, which is almost completely sung.

In 1999, the Cathedral of Ascension of St. Mary (4 Abesadze street) was sanctified in Tbilisi. Monsignor Guseppe Pazotto, Apostolic Administrator in Transcaucasia, provided the opportunity to conduct the liturgy in the Cathedral on Sundays at 10 o'clock. This news was gladly accepted by the Assyrian community and up to the opening of the Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Church of St. Martyr Mar Shemmon Bar Sabbae (17.10.2009) Liturgy was conducted in the Cathedral. Once a month and on all great celebrations, the transportation expenses of Gardabani residents who are coming to Tbilisi for the Liturgy by minibus taxi are partially covered from the Church fund.