In a heartfelt message to his spiritual children, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, addressed the recent events unfolding in the country, emphasizing the critical need for peace, dialogue, and collective responsibility.
Patriarch Ilia II began by stressing that the escalating tensions in recent days demand that every individual, young and old, commits to fostering peace. He urged all Georgians to renounce violence, recognizing that heightened conflict poses a grave threat to the country’s sovereignty and statehood. “Let us consider our actions with this awareness in mind,” he implored.
The Patriarch underlined the importance of avoiding uncontrolled processes and achieving dialogue through constructive means. “Only through mutual understanding and respect can we move forward as a nation,” he stated, urging all parties to engage in meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on the moral state of society, he expressed concern over how far people have strayed from God and His commandments. He lamented the rise of lovelessness, cynicism, and disrespect, which have become entrenched in parts of society, labeling them as destructive sins. “Hate speech and physical violence are manifestations of this spiritual decay,” he warned.
The Patriarch reminded the faithful that mutual hatred, malice, and resentment only harm individuals and the nation. “Our Christianity ends where love for our neighbor ends,” he proclaimed.
As he has throughout his life, Patriarch Ilia II reaffirmed his prayers for Georgia, asking God to grant wisdom, compassion, and inner peace to all. “We are united by our love for our homeland,” he declared, urging the people to come together in prayer for the nation’s welfare.
To strengthen this spiritual effort, the Patriarch called upon clergy in Georgia and abroad to ring church bells daily at 1:00 PM and offer intercessory prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos. He encouraged the faithful to join these prayers, reciting specific psalms, hymns, and troparia dedicated to saints, including Saint Andrew the First-Called, Saint Nino, Saint George, and Saint Nicholas.
Patriarch Ilia II emphasized Georgia’s integral role in European civilization, rooted in its centuries-old Christian spiritual and cultural heritage. He called on the people to support the development of a national state founded on traditional values and to continue strengthening Georgia’s ties with Europe.
Marking the feast day of Saint Andrew the First-Called, the founder of the Georgian Church, and other revered saints, the Patriarch invoked their intercessions for Georgia’s unity, peace, and prosperity. “May God, through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos and our patron saints, bless our country with harmony and well-being,” he concluded.
