Georgian Church celebrates anniversary of restoration of its autocephaly
Divine service in honor of the restoration of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church. Photo: website of the Georgian Church
On March 25, 2025, the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrated an important historical date – the day of the restoration of autocephaly, writes the press service of the Georgian Patriarchate. By the blessing of Patriarch Ilia II, the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku held a thanksgiving service at the Sioni Patriarchal Cathedral, with the participation of bishops and clergy.
Among the believers at the service were the President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili, President of the Academy of Sciences Roin Metreveli, other representatives of the authorities, as well as a delegation from the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.
After the thanksgiving service, Bishop Shio held a memorial service for those who worked for the attainment of autocephaly, conveyed greetings from the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia to those present, and delivered a speech on the significance of the restoration of autocephaly.
On March 12 (25), 1917, the Georgian Church proclaimed the restoration of its autocephaly, which had been lost in the early 19th century after Georgia's annexation to the Russian Empire. The Russian Orthodox Church condemned the unilateral nature of the restoration of autocephaly. Communication between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Georgian Church was interrupted. In 1943, by the decision of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, communication with the Georgian Church was restored. The Synod justified its decision by referring to the 17th rule of the Chalcedonian Council, explaining that "according to church rules (Ecumenical IV, 17, etc.), church boundaries should follow state boundaries."
As a reminder, the Patriarch of Georgia called on Trump to defend traditional Christian values.
Read also
Moldova lacks capacity to maintain 800 temples it intends to seize from Church
According to the Minister of Culture, authorities plan to seize 800 churches from the Moldovan Church, but they lack the capability to manage them.
Court returns seized church to UOC community in Ivankiv
The appellate court declared invalid the re-registration of the UOC community of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the town of Ivankiv.
2,800-year-old seal with biblical symbols found in Israel
Israeli archaeologists have found a stone seal from the era of Judean kings with an inscription in ancient Hebrew.
Pope warns clergy against writing AI-based sermons
The head of the Roman Catholic Church warned priests about the risks of using digital technologies in ministry.
UOC parishes abroad hold memorial services on war anniversary
Clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad prayed on the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Persecuted UOC parish in Tovtry performs reading of Great Penitential Canon
Another Bukovynian community, deprived of its church, continues Great Lent services in an adapted facility.