I would like to address our future generation - as the Apostle Saint Paul says, you are called to freedom, you are the hope and strength of Georgia, therefore it is important to correctly understand the essence of freedom, - Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Shio III stated in his speech at the event dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia.

As the Patriarch noted, we should not turn freedom into just a political achievement and a legacy of the past, and we should take care of its strengthening and consolidation every day.

“In the modern world, there are often misconceptions about freedom. People are led to believe that freedom is simply the rejection of all restrictions. In reality, true freedom is, first of all, responsibility, faith in God and inner strength, an honest and moral life. This is overcoming vicious traits and passions and the obligation to do what is right and good for God. It is the generation raised with an understanding of these values ​​that will be able to preserve the unity of the country and state independence.

We should not make freedom just a political achievement and a legacy of the past, but we should work hard and take care of its strengthening every day. Let our state independence be based on love for God and the motherland, justice and peace, unity and tolerance, service to one’s neighbor and humanity, because a strong state is built only when these virtues reign in society and unite people with a common commitment to national goals and spiritual and moral values.

Once again, I congratulate everyone on Independence Day, may God bless and strengthen you. May God bless, strengthen and unite all of Georgia, Amen,” the Patriarch said.