I was asked to address the people. I found it very difficult. I felt that people would not believe me,- His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia said recalling the April9, 1989 night.

The Patriarch said in his interview with Imedi TV that the April 9 night was a readiness for freedom and people on Rustaveli Avenue realized that they were facing the death.

“It is very hard to recall the night. At midnight they told me that Georgia was fin danger. I was asked to address the people. I found it very difficult. I felt that people would not believe me. I called on them to enter Kashveti Church. I felt that they would refuse to do it, but I decided to stand with people. When I addressed that the danger was real, people kept silent, calm down and then shouted - no. It was readiness, people felt that they were facing death and tanks were coming, but the young people were surrounded me. They stood to protect me in case of shooting, to save me,” the Patriarch said.