Patriarch Kirill of Moscow sent a congratulatory message to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia, on the occasion of the feast of Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia.
In his message, Patriarch Kirill addressed the Georgian primate with warm and fraternal words, congratulating him on the liturgical commemoration of Saint Nino, through whom “the land of Iberia was illumined by the light of the Gospel and brought to Christ.” He emphasized that, in the person of Saint Nino, the people of Georgia have a fervent intercessor and tireless supplicant before God.
Patriarch Kirill noted that the salvific work of spiritual enlightenment begun by Saint Nino continues today under the pastoral and fatherly guidance of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. He highlighted the continuity between the apostolic mission of the saint and the present ministry of the Georgian Church, which remains rooted in faith, prayer, and ecclesial responsibility.
Concluding his message, Patriarch Kirill prayed that the All-Merciful Lord, through the intercessions of Saint Nino, would grant strength and renewal to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, and bestow peace and prosperity upon the faithful children of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
