With God’s protection and the spiritual leadership of the Patriarch, we will firmly defend Christianity, Orthodoxy, and all values that constitute the essence and substance of the Georgian nation, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

As the head of government noted, this year’s May 17 is also special because His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, who was chosen as Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia by the will of God, the testament of Ilia II, and the support of the Holy Synod, conducted the solemn liturgy for the first time today.

“With God’s protection and the spiritual leadership of the Patriarch, we will firmly defend Christianity, Orthodoxy, and all values that define the essence of the Georgian nation. May God bless our Mother Church, may God bless our Catholicos-Patriarch, may God bless our homeland, may God bless our nation and our people,” said Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to the Prime Minister, the passing of Ilia II made every Georgian more deeply aware of the importance of Christianity, love, and unity.

“This year we are celebrating this day for the first time without His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. May 17 is also special for us because this holiday was established by our beloved Patriarch. For half a century in our consciousness, Ilia II embodied all the values that Christianity and Orthodoxy represent. The passing of our spiritual father, His Holiness Ilia II, made each of us profoundly realize the importance of Christianity, love, and unity. We thank His Holiness for his immense contribution, which will continue to guide our country on the path of preserving Christian values and traditions,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also congratulated citizens on the Day of Family Purity.

“Congratulations on the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents. This year’s May 17 is especially significant for each of us. This year we mark 1,700 years since Christianity was declared the state religion. Seventeen centuries ago, Christianity became one of the main pillars of our country’s identity and uniqueness, shaping our unique culture and values. It was on the basis of this culture and these values that May 17 was declared the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents,” said the Prime Minister.