Metropolitan Onuphry congratulates Georgia on 1,700 years of Christianity

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry has congratulated Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia, the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Georgian people on the 1,700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion, reports the UOJ in Georgia.

In the anniversary message, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, on behalf of the bishops, clergy and faithful, expressed fraternal love and respect for the Georgian Church. He called the anniversary a great event in the history of the ancient Georgian state.

Special attention in the congratulation is given to the apostolic labor of Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles, and to the acceptance of Christianity by the Holy King Mirian. According to Metropolitan Onuphry, this historic choice became a path of spiritual life, enlightenment and Gospel truth for Georgia.

His Beatitude noted that for seventeen centuries Christianity has defined Georgia's path, nourished its culture and strengthened the people's fidelity to Orthodoxy. He also recalled the spiritual significance of the country as the lot of the Most Holy Theotokos.

Speaking of the fraternal unity of the two Churches, Metropolitan Onuphry recalled Hieromartyr Kyrion II, Saint Callistratus and Hieromartyr Nazarius of Kutaisi. According to him, prayerful remembrance of them unites the faithful through the unity of faith, peace within the Church, and love in Christ. He also quoted Patriarch Ilia II, who said that people were created not for death and oblivion but to attain eternal life.

In conclusion, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry wished Patriarch Shio III peace, spiritual strength and God's help. He expressed hope for the protection of the Mother of God, Saint Nino, Equal-to-the-Apostles, King Mirian and all the saints of Iveria.

As the UOJ reported, the Georgian Church marked the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity.

Read also