Patriarch Shio of Georgia: The Path of Love and Forgiveness Will Unite the Abkhaz and Georgian Peoples

Patriarch Shio of Georgia called for reconciliation and unity between the Abkhaz and Georgian peoples, emphasizing the importance of love, forgiveness, and mutual understanding. In his address during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, he noted that only through acceptance and patience can the consequences of the tragic events of the past be overcome.

According to Orthodoxia News Agency, the Patriarch recalled the significance of the Cross in the Christian faith, emphasizing that it symbolizes Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of love for the salvation of humanity. He also mentioned the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Sukhumi on September 27, 1993, which marked the end of the war in Abkhazia. This conflict led to numerous casualties and displacements, and the Patriarch called it a “great cross” bestowed by God.

The Primate of the Georgian Church quoted the words of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, who said that there were no victors in this war, and called for this cross to be borne with dignity through love and forgiveness. He expressed joy that Georgian society today is imbued with this spirit of unity and respect for the Abkhaz people, which, in his words, is the key to future coexistence.

As a reminder, representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church previously issued a high-profile statement accusing 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.