⛪ The Address of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, at the Ceremonial Event Dedicated to Georgia's Independence Day.
🔸 Your Excellency, Mr. President,
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister,
Your Excellency, Mr. Chairman of the Parliament,
Representatives of the Executive and Legislative Authorities,
Mr. Minister of Defense,
Mr. Commander of the Defense Forces,
Servicemembers,
Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Fellow Compatriots living beyond the borders of our country,
🔸 I congratulate you on Georgia's Independence Day!
🔸 May 26 is a day of supreme significance in the history of our country. It embodies the centuries-old aspiration and struggle of the Georgian people for freedom, and for the defense of the Christian faith and national values. By restoring statehood on May 26, 1918, our nation once again demonstrated before the world its unwavering will to be free, independent, and responsible for its own present and future.
🔸 On the path toward achieving and consolidating independence, the Orthodox Church of Georgia has always been the spiritual pillar of the Georgian nation and the foundation of national unity. It is telling that the restoration of the Church's autocephaly preceded the attainment of state independence.
🔸 Through its aspiration toward truth, the Georgian nation came to know freedom in Christ, and it was precisely this "truth that set it free" (John 8:32). True freedom is not merely an outward expression of independence or a conquest of the past; rather, it primarily implies a person's spiritual state and demands great responsibility from us. It is a work of constant labor, dedication, and loyalty—a service to faith, neighbor, homeland, and righteousness.
🔸 Today, with special gratitude, we remember the dedicated children of our country, those who, through victory in a multi-generational struggle for freedom, bequeathed an independent country to future generations. The labor they performed and the lives they sacrificed for unity and peace obligate us to cherish this achievement.
🔸 In this regard, the legacy of the late Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II is of paramount importance. His half-century of ministry became a vital pillar for the nation's spiritual and state unity, national consciousness, and the reinforcement of the international authority of the Church and the country.
🔸 This year, we celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia. This date is not merely a historical event; it reminds us of the spiritual foundation that for centuries defined the identity, culture, and state consciousness of the Georgian nation. The Christian faith taught our people what true freedom means: love for God and neighbor, fortitude in times of trial, and self-sacrifice for the homeland.
🔸 Imbued with these values, the Georgian nation withstood many a tempest, rose again fortified by faith in Christ, grew stronger, and not only survived and preserved its identity, but also made a significant contribution to the treasury of global spirituality and culture.
🔸 Today, I extend a special greeting to the Defense Forces of Georgia, to every soldier who faithfully protects the dignity and freedom of the homeland. Remember that each of you must become to your compatriots not only a guarantor of state security, but also an exemplar of peace, responsibility, and love for the homeland. The strength of an army should manifest itself not in the desire for war, but in the preservation of peace. Peace is that supreme goal which establishes eternal values and true freedom among men.
🔸 Furthermore, I wish to address our future generation. As the Holy Apostle Paul states: "Ye have been called unto liberty" (Galatians 5:13); you are the hope and fortitude of Georgia! Therefore, it is crucial that you correctly comprehend the essence of freedom. In the modern world, erroneous notions of freedom are frequently encountered.
