Ananias (Jafaridze)

Ananias (Georgian ანანია) (Japaridze Tenghiz Anatolievich, born August 20, 1949, Tkibuli) Metropolitan of Manglisi and Tetri-Tskaro of Georgian Orthodox Church; a Candidate of Historical Sciences, is the author of more than 40 scientific papers written about the history of Georgia and Georgian Church. He was born to the family of an engineer technologist. He graduated from a secondary school in 1966, and from the Polytechnic Institute of Georgia in 1974, as a specialist in automatic means of communication. He graduated, with distinction, from the Mtskheta Theological Seminary in 1980. He was tonsured as a monk during his studies at the seminary with the name Ananias, and he was ordained as a deacon (April 4, 1979) and Priest (September 27, 1979) by Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. He was a prior of Holy Trinity Church in Tbilisi in 1979. On September 27, 1980 he was appointed as a father superior in Alaverdi Monastery (Alaverdi diocese) and as the Archimandrite on March 8, 1981. He was consecrated as a Bishop of Nikortsminda Cathedral on March 15, 1981 by Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia. He was a Bishop of Akhaltsikhe and Meskhet- Javakheti from April 19, 1981 till December 25, 1992; and the Archibishop of Manglisi from December 25, 1992 till June 17, 1995. Since June 1995 he takes Manglisi – Tsalka Cathedral. On November 15, 2001 he was erected as a metropolitan.

During his episcopal service, he renewed the divine services in Zarzma, Vardzia, Saphara monasteries; rehabilitated churches in the villages Ivlita, Khvilisha, Akhaldaba, Sadgeri; opened churches in Abastumani, Borjomi, Algeti, Koda (ka), etc. In 1990, he established the Akhaltsikhe Theological Seminary; he was the rector of Seminary from 1990 till 1992. Since 1995 he teaches the History of Georgian Church in Theological Academy of Tbilisi.

He was rewarded with St. Apostle Mark Medal of Alexandria Patriarchate and medals of Georgian Orthodox Church.

He is the author of fundamental books about the History of Georgia Orthodox Church (3 volumes were published, 4 volume will be printed); monographs' on Bible stories about Georgians (1994). "Saingilo" (1998), "Meskheti" (1998), Christianity in Georgia from the Apostle Andrew till St. Nino (1991), A place of Georgian Patriarchate in Orthodox diptychs (1993), About Abkhazians' domicile in the North Caucasus (1994), The Georgian Church in the XVII century (1996); "Mother Church" (1996), etc.