Shio III – Thirty-three years have passed since the war in Abkhazia and the fall of Sokhumi; I recall the words of Ilia II that there are no victors in that war—the nation must reunite, and both the Georgian and Abkhaz peoples must survive; our path is one of love, mutual reconciliation, and mutual forgiveness
I recall the words of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II that there are no victors in that war; both the Abkhaz and the Georgians suffered defeat. This statement was made by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, during a memorial service for those who lost their lives in the war in Abkhazia.
According to the Patriarch, the nation must reunite, and both the Georgian and Abkhaz peoples must survive.
"Today, we reflect on the Lord’s Cross, its significance, and its power. May the strength and grace of the Life-Giving Cross be with us all. When we venerate the Savior’s Cross, we are venerating, first and foremost, that act of love—a profound act of sacrificial love. It was precisely this love, this very act of sacrifice, that was fulfilled upon the Cross. We also recall a sorrowful and tragic event in our recent history: thirty-three years have passed since the war in Abkhazia and the fall of Sokhumi. That terrible war claimed up to 30,000 lives. I am reminded of the words of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II: that there are no victors in that war. Both Abkhazians and Georgians suffered defeat...
If we wish to bear this Cross worthily and for our own spiritual benefit, the nation must unite once more, ensuring the survival of both the Georgian and Abkhaz peoples. Our path is one of love, mutual reconciliation, and mutual forgiveness," the Patriarch noted.
