In their post, the Patriarchate hailed the Patriarch as a beacon of unwavering faith, embodying Christ-like virtues of humility, love, kindness, gratitude, patience, forgiveness, and a profound dedication to caring for others.

Expressing gratitude to God for blessing the Georgian nation and the Church with such an exceptional and resilient spiritual leader, the Patriarchate highlighted the significance of his guidance during crucial times for the country and the faith.

In its post, the Patriarchate fervently prayed for the continuous guidance and spiritual fortification of the Georgian Orthodox Church under the leadership of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, as they steer towards the profound truths of Christ, fostering the spiritual growth of the Georgian people.

The Patriarch said in his letter: “We are deeply saddened by the gruesome attack which took place on December 21st. Please convey our compassion to the families of the deceased and victims, and to the entire Czech people. We are praying for the recovery of the injured and imploring the Lord to grant peace to the world.”

It is recalled that a mass shooting took place at Charles University in central Prague that claimed the lives of over 15 individuals and left at least 20 injured. The perpetrator was a college student who opened fire at the premises of the university after having killed his father.

Read the full letter in English below:

During the session, the Holy Synod pointed out that both at an international and at a regional level, the situation was very difficult and dangerous. Thus, their main concern is peace to prevail.

It was concluded that from the very first days of the start of hostilities by Russia in Ukraine, the Patriarch of Georgia called for an immediate termination to the conflict, which, otherwise, would have very serious consequences.

In addition, the worsening of the situation in the Middle East puts the whole world at great risk.

As a result of the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, there are many casualties, that is innocent people, children and elderly people. They die together with soldiers. Infrastructure, housing, religious or other buildings are aalso destroyed. In general, there is violence in religious places as well.

The Church of Georgia expresses its deepest sorrow and sympathy with the victims of wars. Everyone will join their forces, will pray and will ask God to grant peace to Ukraine, the Holy Land and the whole world.

The Holy Synod also addressed the matter regarding the baptism. Namely, a wrong practice is spread – there is an excessive number of godparents.

Therefore, according to the canons of the Church of Georgia, there must be one godfather or godmother.

According to historically established tradition, it is allowed to be a man and a woman but for the baptism of an adult, the godfather or godmother must be of the same sex with the person who will be baptized. In Georgia, as an exception, three godparents are allowed in the event of the appointment of a Catholic patriarch.

In addition, the Patriarch of Georgia asked the priests to make a brief report on the current situation in their dioceses. The Holy Synod heard a review on the situation of nuns and priests in the temporarily occupied areas of Tskhinvali and Akhalgori and the churches and monasteries there.

During the session, many matters will be discussed concering the Church and Orthodoxy.

It is the second session of the Holy Synod this year, since the last one was held on February 14 2023.

In a statement issued by the Georgian Church’s public relations department, it is stated that this holiday is based on religious principles that are contrary to the conscience of the Orthodox Church.

It explains that there are different interpretations of Halloween. “The main story is about how a pious tradition can merge with a foreign tradition and degenerate completely.”

According to a statement from the Church of Georgia, it was Pope Gregory III who established All Saints’ Day in the Roman Church in 732, setting November 1 as the date of celebration.

“As with any other church holiday, All Saints’ Day begins the evening of the previous day (Halloween means ‘the eve of All Saints’ Day’). On this day, clergy and people would make processions to churches and towns, carrying religious icons and relics,” the Church of Georgia says.

It goes on to say that “despite the efforts of the modern entertainment industry to separate Halloween from its religious rituals, this event was and remains rooted in the Church.

However, it has been corrupted by idolatry to such an extent that instead of venerating the images and relics of the Lord and His saints, people spend time in revelry and disguises, impersonating various ghoulish characters and demonic personifications.”

For this reason, it concludes, that Halloween is totally unacceptable to the Orthodox faithful.

As he says in a message published on the Patriarchate’s website, “Today, all people are praying for peace in the Middle East. We, for our part, daily ask the Holy Trinity to grant peace to the Holy Land, its peoples, and the whole world.”

Archbishop Justin Welby said that he was happy to visit Georgia and the Georgian Patriarchate. He added that Georgia had a great history and culture and that the Orthodox Church had a special role and importance for the country for more than 1600 years.

The Archbishop expressed grief over the Russia-Ukraine war, the occupation of part of Georgia’s territory, and the internally displaced persons. He also expressed hope that with God’s help, the time will come when such painful problems will be resolved.

The Chairman of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Patriarchate of Georgia, Metropolitan Gerasime (Sharashenidze), spoke about the current events in the Caucasus region and the world. He said that maintaining peace and normalizing relations among nations is of particular importance and that the Georgian Orthodox Church had been always trying and was still trying to promote peace within the country, in the Caucasus region and, of course, in the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.

Metropolitan Andrew (Gvazava) of Gori and Ateni, who is the representative of the Patriarch of Georgia in Great Britain and Ireland, thanked the Archbishop of Canterbury for the support to the Georgian diaspora.

Metropolitan Theodore thanked them on behalf of Patriach Ilia II of Georgia and expressed his readiness to further deepen their cooperation.

Representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia, the government of Abkhazia, the Supreme Council of Abkhazia and Georgian society attended the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting, as pointed out in the announcement of the Patriarchate of Georgia, was to discuss the events related to the conflict in Abkhazia.

“Unfortunately, the Georgian side, after having engaged in an information warfare to tackle the forces working against Georgia, is not yet able to provide sufficiently objective information about the conflict at the international level.

In addition to this, a media environment is created in Georgia to the detriment of national and state interests, since it willingly or unwillingly supports the separatist forces,” as it was stated in the announcement.

It was also noted that it is necessary to have international support for the implementation of the “fair hospitality of the Georgian people, who seek to peacefully restore the territorial integrity of their country”.

“Today, September 27, the Orthodox Church celebrates the discovery of the cross on which the Savior was crucified by Saint Helena, the mother of Byzantine Emperor Saint Constantine, after three centuries,” the Patriarch said in his message.

Then, he added: “This day is very important for the entire Christian world. This is also a day of sorrow, because it is the day of remembering the crime that the human race committed by crucifying God.”

“This feeling is compounded by the sadness of the crimes commited in Sukhumi (Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in Sukhumi), which happened 30 years ago on this very day, and, naturally, it is an irreparable wound for Georgia,” the Patriarch stressed in his moving message.

He gave hope by saying: “But Christianity is a religion of hope and joy along with pain, and we also believe that, as the savior’s earthly existence did not end with the crucifixion, but with resurrection and ascension, our country too, Christ rose spiritually, and one day we will definitely restore our territorial integrity.”

Finally, he wished: “May God grant the spiritual resurrection and elevation for each of us!”

Georgian PM: The de-occupation of the Russia-occupied regions and the country’s unification remains our main challenge

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also referred to the fall of Sokhumi as well as to Russia-occupied regions, according to 1tv.ge.

“Today, Georgia commemorates the 30th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi, occupied Abkhazia region and I am convinced that the future belongs to the unity, peace, and prosperity of Abkhazians and Georgians,” he said.

“The de-occupation of the Russia-occupied regions and the country’s unification remains the main challenge facing our state and society,” said Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in his statement in connection with the day of fall of Sokhumi commemorated on September 27.

“This war has left a devastating mark on our country. Ethnic cleansing has turned hundreds of thousands into refugees in their own homeland and, most lamentably, many of our compatriots have tragically fallen victim to it,” he said.

“The de-occupation of the Russia-occupied regions and the country’s unification remains the main challenge facing our state and society,” he pointed out.

“Today, as we commemorate this sacrifice, we reaffirm our commitment to peaceful conflict resolution. Our Government is resolute in pursuing this path because we firmly believe that peace is the foundation upon which we must build a unified, strong, developed country together with our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers,” the PM added.

In the context of the visit, with the permission and blessing of Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, on April 2, Bishop Georgios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the historic Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos.

Georgian clergy of Thessaloniki, Hieromonk Irenaeus (Sengelia), Hieromonk Ieronymos (Katamatze), and clergy of the local parish participated in the service.

The Divine Liturgy was also attended by the Consul General of Georgia in Greece, Nodar Komakhidze, Greek and Georgian believers, and other guests.

At the end of the service, the Georgian High Priest addressed the faithful, expressing his warm thanks to the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki for the permission and honor given to him to officiate the Divine Liturgy in the historic Church.

In addition, on behalf of the Patriarchate of Georgia, he publicly thanked the Church of Greece for the help (free studies, scholarships, accommodation, etc.) it provides to Georgian clergymen and students who come to study in Greece.

In his speech, Bishop George spoke of the importance of inter-Orthodox relations between the Orthodox Churches of Greece and Georgia, stressing the need to strengthen these relations.

Bishop Georgios did not overlook the difficulties that the whole world is facing today, due to Russia’s armed attack against Ukraine, recalling the fact that the territories of Georgia are occupied by Russia.

He said he was praying for peace in the world and urged faithful Christians to continue their prayers.