 In 1980, he graduated, with distinction, from the Mtskheta Theological Seminary.Ananias was tonsured as a monk during his studies at the seminary with the name "Ananias" after Ananias of Damascus, and on April 4, 1979, he was ordained as a deacon.On September 27, 1979, he was ordained a priest by Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.