Patriarch Shio III of Georgia: Georgia Continues to Be at the Forefront of Defending the True Faith

During a festive divine service in Zugdidi dedicated to the Feast of the Deposition of the Holy Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III emphasized the Georgian people’s unwavering commitment to Christian values. According to Zivotcrkve.rs, the solemn liturgy marked an important historical milestone—the 1,700th anniversary of the missionary journey of Saint Nina, Equal to the Apostles, to Georgia.

In his sermon, the Primate of the Georgian Orthodox Church noted that faith in Christ has remained an integral part of the cultural identity and self-identity of the Georgian people for seventeen centuries. Patriarch Shio III reminded the faithful that the country is greatly blessed to possess such holy relics as the Lord’s Tunic and the Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God, and called on the flock to engage in spiritual purification and prayerful devotion.

In his address, the Patriarch paid special attention to the Samegrelo region, emphasizing the words of his predecessor, Patriarch Ilia II, that the process of uniting the country must begin precisely here. The service was also attended by representatives of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, notably Metropolitan Joakim of Helenopolis, and the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, underscoring the event’s national and spiritual significance.

It should be recalled that earlier, representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church issued a high-profile statement, , accusing the European Union leadership of exerting pressure regarding the promotion of same-sex marriage in the country. According to church leaders, European diplomats openly asked the clergy to help promote the LGBT agenda among the population.