The construction of the St. Panteleimon the Healer Temple on the territory of penitentiary institution No. 10 was ongoing for a year. Up to 40 convicts took part in the construction process.

On the 1,500 square meters of land, a baptistery and monastic cells were also built, where chanting, theological and Bible study courses will be held for the convicts.

The church opened today with the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, His Holiness Ilia II. Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze opened the temple together with representatives of the Patriarchate.

The convicts who participated in the construction were given certificates and souvenirs from the Patriarch.

Head of the Special Penitentiary Service, Nika Tshvarashvili and his deputy Giorgi Giorgadze also attended the liturgy.