Irakli Kobakhidze: Ilia Chavchavadze left us the supreme testament of the Georgian people: "Homeland, Language, Faith"; This serves not only as the foundation of our national consciousness but also as a blueprint for action - one that remains just as relevant today as it was during his own lifetime

Our past is rich with prominent secular and religious figures; yet, Ilia Chavchavadze stands alone as the one whom the Georgian people—out of deep affection and in recognition of his merits—dubbed the "Father of the Nation" during his own lifetime. Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze made these remarks while speaking at an event held in Kvareli to mark the celebration of "Iliaoba" (Ilia’s Day).

According to the Prime Minister, during a period of immense difficulty for the country, Ilia Chavchavadze brought together everything that Georgia needed at that time.

"Happy Iliaoba—a holiday of paramount importance to our country. The birthday of Ilia Chavchavadze is distinguished by its profound historical symbolism and significance. We have gathered here, in his native region, to once again pay tribute to an extraordinary legacy—one that shaped the self-awareness, spiritual fortitude, and faith in the future of the Georgian nation.

When we speak of Ilia Chavchavadze, our thoughts naturally turn first to the foundations upon which modern Georgian statehood, culture, and national unity rest. Ilia achieved the near-impossible: during a critical and exceptionally difficult era for the country, he embodied everything that Georgia needed at the time—he was a public figure, a writer, a publicist, a founder of a bank, a builder of the Georgian theater, and, above all, a leader of the nation. In contemporary Georgia, there is no sphere of public life that does not draw upon his ideas. An example of such multifaceted activity is rare even in world history; it is a phenomenon of universal significance, where the life of a single individual defined the path of development.

Fortunately, our past is rich in prominent secular and religious figures; yet, Ilia Chavchavadze was the only one whom the Georgian people—well-deserving of the title and with great affection—called the 'Father of the Nation' during his own lifetime," the Prime Minister stated.

According to the Prime Minister, Ilia Chavchavadze left behind the paramount testament for the Georgian people: "Homeland, Language, Faith."

“This serves not only as the foundation of Georgian national consciousness but also as a blueprint for action—one that remains just as relevant today as it was during Ilia Chavchavadze’s own era. This year holds special significance. We are celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia. At such a momentous time, it is impossible not to recall the immense effort Ilia Chavchavadze dedicated to the restoration of the autocephaly of the Mother Church. Among his many other great achievements, it was precisely for this endeavor that the Georgian Church canonized him as a saint.

Ilia Chavchavadze bequeathed to us the fundamental Georgian credo—'Homeland, Language, Faith'—which serves not only as the foundation of our national consciousness but also as a blueprint for action; one that remains as relevant today as it was during Ilia Chavchavadze’s own lifetime.

Once again, I wish you a happy Iliaoba! I believe that for us, and for all future generations, the life of Saint Ilia the Righteous will always remain an example of how one should love one's homeland—caring for its better future not merely through words, but through daily labor," the Prime Minister stated.