Patriarch of Georgia addresses nation in connection with protests
Protesters in Georgia. Photo: eurotopics
The Primate of the Georgian Church, Patriarch Ilia, addressed the Georgian people in connection with the protests in the capital. The statement was published by the Georgian Patriarchate on its Facebook page.
The Patriarch said, "The events that have unfolded in recent days clearly show that it is the duty of each of us to take care of peace."
"Every person, from the youngest to the oldest, must distance themselves from violence and reflect on the fact that in these challenging times, escalating tensions create a real danger to the country's main achievement – its statehood and sovereignty, and based on this, determine their actions," said Patriarch Ilia. He warned that the lack of love, cynicism, and disrespect observed between the participants in the conflicts are mortal sins.
"With mutual hatred, bitterness, and bile... we will not solve any national issue, and will only harm ourselves and the state. Our Christianity ends where love for our neighbour ends," emphasized Patriarch Ilia.
He urged the people to "unite in prayer for the well-being of Georgia, so that with God's help and inner peace, we may take the right steps".
The Georgian Patriarch blessed the clergy in Georgia and abroad to ring the bells daily at 1:00 PM and to serve a prayer service in honour of the Most Holy Theotokos. He also urged the faithful living in Georgia and abroad to recite prayers throughout the day: "Our Father", Psalm 90, "Open to us the door of mercy...," "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos..." (three times), as well as the troparia of St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Nino, St. George, and St. Nicholas, and at the end: "Save, O Lord, Your people..."
The Patriarch reminded that "Georgia is an integral part of European civilisation, and it is our duty to contribute to the strengthening and development of a national state of the European type, based on our centuries-old Christian spiritual and cultural heritage and traditional values".
As earlier reported by the UOJ, the Georgian Church condemned the President's call for children to participate in protests.
Read also
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.
Archbishop John: The Church is not a special group – it is open to everyone
The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania explained why the Church cannot shut itself off from people and what danger arises when believers begin to feel that it is “ours.”
Shostatsky: We have a real personnel shortage in the OCU
Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) said that OCU clerics have to travel to as many as five parishes over a weekend so that believers are not left without services.