![](https://vaticange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Simon-4-850x580.jpg)
![](https://vaticange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Simon-4-850x580.jpg)
On the 125th anniversary of the birth of the imminent Georgian historian and philologist, Simon Kaukhchishvili, the Catholic Community of Kutaisi organized an event to celebrate the life and accomplishments of this great Georgian Catholic academic. His contribution to Georgian studies laid important foundations for today’s ongoing research.
Simon Kaukhchishvili was born on October 1, 1895 in the family home at No. 13 on Tbilisi Street in Kutaisi. He later moved to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, where his continued research and ground breaking contributions lead him to becoming a renowned member of the prestigious Georgian National Academy of Sciences. His critical editions of the old Georgian chronicles (“Kartlis Tskhovreba”) and his work on Prince Vakhushti’s historical – geographical treatise were highly acclaimed by academics.
Dr. Kaukhchishvili was also the founder of the Byzantine studies in Georgia. He left Georgia and all of humanity with a monumental literary and scholarly legacy that continues to be a point of reference for academic research in this field to this day.
The celebration of the 125 anniversary of Simon Kaukhchishvili’s birth took place on the very day that marked the anniversary, October 1st , at the family home in Kutaisi. A floral tribute was placed by memorial plaque that honours the distinguished citizen of Kutaisi (It is curious that the date of birth inscribed on the memorial plaque is 14 October which corresponds to the Julian calendar).
A film documentary on the life and accomplishments of the great Catholic Georgian was projected at the Convent of the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata Fathers in Kutaisi. The celebration was well attended with the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Georgia, Msgr. José A. Bettencourt, the Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, members of the Municipality of Kutaisi, Faculty members of the University of Kutaisi, Fr. Gabriel Bregantini and members of the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata Fathers, former students of Dr. Kaukhchishvili as well as a large gathering of connoisseurs of Georgian historical studies.