Georgian Parliament Speaker highlights family as pillar of nation and statehood

Speaking at a solemn liturgy dedicated to Family Purity Day, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday emphasised the central role of the family in shaping society, national identity, and the state.

In his address, Papuashvili stated that Georgia’s history demonstrates a fundamental truth - “where the family is strong, society is strong; where society is strong, national consciousness is strong, and where national consciousness is strong, the state itself is strong”.

“Throughout our centuries-long history, we have gone through many trials - wars, invasions, pressure from empires, attempts to erase our faith, language, and identity - but the Georgian people managed to preserve themselves. And this was made possible first and foremost by the Georgian family - a family that passed from generation to generation faith, love, loyalty to the homeland, and respect for ancestors”, he said.

The speaker highlighted the special significance of the current year, marking the 1 700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as a state religion in Georgia, describing this milestone not only as a religious event but as a cornerstone of national identity, culture, and statehood.

“This year is of special importance. We are marking the 1 700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia. This date is not only a religious event. It is the foundation of our national identity, culture, and state consciousness. Christianity gave the Georgian people a spiritual backbone that, over the centuries, united us, strengthened us, and preserved us”, Papuashvili noted.

“It is precisely Christian values that shaped the Georgian family model, based on mutual respect, love, solidarity, and responsibility - a family where the future generation grows; where a child first learns what the homeland is, what goodness, dignity, labour, and mutual respect mean”, he continued.

Papuashvili further stressed that in today’s challenging world, protecting these values was crucial.

“Today, when the world faces many challenges, it is especially important to protect the values that have brought us to this point. The state is strong when society protects its roots; when the family remains the main pillar of society; when tradition and modernity do not fight each other but complement one another”, the speaker stressed.

He added that it was the duty of the current generation to pass on to future generations not only an economically strong country but also a spiritually strong Georgia.

“The Georgian family has always been not only a social unit but also an institution of national survival. It is the family that preserved the Georgian language, songs, traditions, Christian faith, and national memory. Therefore, it is our duty to pass on to future generations not only an economically strong country, but a spiritually strong Georgia - a country that knows its history, protects its values, and builds its future on this very foundation”, he noted.

Papuashvili expressed gratitude to the late Patriarch Ilia II for establishing the Day of Family Purity and noted that this legacy continues under the new Patriarch.

“On this day, we especially remember with gratitude our Holy Patriarch Ilia II, who made May 17 a day of national unity, its most important values, purity, dignity, family, children, love, and unity. Happy Day of Family Purity to everyone! May God protect Georgian families! May God protect Georgia!” he concluded.