An altar Gospel book in a leather binding.
Until today, the principal liturgical book in every active church of Georgia has been the Altar Gospel, used in reprinted copies of an edition issued 150 years ago.
The editing of the Altar Gospel printed in Tbilisi in 1870 naturally remained an important and weighty undertaking for decades.
Not to mention that its title page named every member of the Russian imperial family, and the publication of the Gospel was blessed by the Holy Synod of the entire Russian Church.
The new Altar Gospel, published this year after a century and a half, was prepared over the course of many years; its final edition belongs to Doctor of Philological and Theological Sciences, Professor Edisher Chelidze. The Altar Gospel features original artwork and is made from the finest materials.
The Altar Gospel was prepared and published by the Patriarchate's publishing house Alilo, with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazeti, Ilia II — which should be regarded as yet another most significant ecclesiastical and national achievement in the ministry of His Holiness and Beatitude.