Metropolitan Shio: If we want to overcome the difficulties that will face our country in the future as well, we must firmly hold on to our faith - We must remember and gratefully cherish the fact that the Lord has never abandoned us—not even in the most difficult moments of our history
“If we wish to overcome the difficulties that will stand before our country in the future, we must steadfastly preserve our faith. Let us remember and appreciate with gratitude that the Lord has never forsaken us; we have never been abandoned, even in the hardest moments of history,” said Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne and Metropolitan of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, during his sermon on St. George’s Day (Giorgoba).
He continued: “As long as we live, as long as we have faith and remain faithful to Christ’s Church, and as long as—despite countless hardships—we order the life of our country according to the laws given by God, we shall endure.”
“If we look back at history, the mission of the Georgian warrior has always been this: to defend our people, our faith, and our Church. Our ancestors very often fought against enemies and repelled invasions that threatened Georgia with total destruction. The Church, too, was repeatedly threatened with annihilation. In those battles our forefathers very often emerged victorious. But even when they could not win, they still managed to survive. We attribute this not only to the wisdom and success of our kings, commanders, and devoted people, but above all to divine assistance and the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.
If we want to overcome future difficulties that will confront our country, we must firmly preserve our faith. Let us remember and treasure with gratitude that the Lord has never abandoned us—not even in the most trying moments of our history.
Just recall the 20th century, the period of atheist rule that brought brutal persecution, the sacrifice of innocent people, the destruction and desecration of churches and holy things, and so on.
May St. George help us draw the right lessons from history and learn the teachings it offers us. The most important lesson is this: we are alive today, we have reached this day, and we will continue to live as long as we have faith, as long as we remain faithful to Christ’s Church, and as long as—despite all the difficulties—we order our country’s life according to the laws given by God,” Metropolitan Shio declared.
