In a letter to the participants of the 7th Session of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia expresses his concerns about the war in Ukraine and the general situation of modern society.
In particular, the Patriarch of Georgia stresses that “The proponents of secularization have proposed an idea of false freedom, which is devoid of morality, they have put forward the principle of permissibility of everything: whatever I want is natural, possible and acceptable, and such an attitude creates an acute danger for the next generation, forming false orientations, pseudo-values and a loyal attitude to the gravest sin”.
Then, he goes on to point out that “The hostilities in Ukraine sow fear in the world society which is a serious challenge for the entire world, and in general, there prevails a feeling that we have found ourselves in a situation where no one knows what will happen tomorrow.”
Finally, he concludes that “Clergy within their possibility, should help people overcome their fear of various trials”, and he expresses his hope that “the work of the session will promote inter-religious dialogue, peace and co-existance of religion and culture, with mutual accept, and will create conditions for common efforts to protect spiritual values”.
Read below the full text of the Patriarch’s letter
Welcome Speech
Of the Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II
To the Participants of the 7th Session of the Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions
(September 13-14, 2022)
Your Excellency, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kassim-Jomart Tokayev,
Your Excellency, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Maulen Ashimbayev,
Your Eminence, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan,
On behalf of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, I cordially welcome all the participants of the Congress which discusses a very important issue – the role of the leaders of world and traditional religions in the spiritual and social development of humankind in the post-pandemic period.
It is a well known fact that many problems have accumulated during the period of secularization and apostasy, and the strife against Truth and morality has acquired new intensity as well.
The proponents of secularization have proposed an idea of false freedom, which is devoid of morality, they have put forward the principle of permissibility of everything: whatever I want is natural, possible and acceptable.
Such an attitude creates an acute danger for the next generation, forming false orientations, pseudo-values and a loyal attitude to the gravest sin, which will result in the undoing of the true freedom and the loss of perception of the true meaning of life.
All this was exacerbated by the pandemic, which induced mass fear and separated both countries and individuals from each other.
The hostilities in Ukraine sow fear in the world society which is a serious challenge for the entire world.
In general, there prevails a feeling that we have found ourselves in a situation where no one knows what will happen tomorrow.
To overcome post-pandemic difficulties, to help the victims of the war within our possibility and to pray for peace – all these are our duty. Apart from it, clergy within their possibility, should help people overcome their fear of various trials.
Faith in the True God and walking in His Path bring genuine freedom to an individual, free people from phobias and feel their hearts with peace, courage, bravery, love, loyalty and with a desire to dedicate their lives to others.
It is the state of the soul, when fear can no longer prevail over us, disturbing our inner world and peace of mind.
This reality is to be found by man. This is the main purpose of our life!
We hope that the work of the session will promote inter-religious dialogue, peace and co-existance of religion and culture, with mutual accept, and will create conditions for common efforts to protect spiritual values.
I extend my gratitude to those who have organized this meeting, and I wish you all success in your God-pleasing work.
Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia,
Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi and
Metropolitan of Bitchvinta and Tskhum-Apkhazeti
