Patriarch Shio III: May 26 expresses centuries-old aspiration, struggle of Georgian people for freedom, protection of Christian faith, national values

Shio III, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, on Tuesday congratulated the Georgian people on the country's Independence Day, saying that May 26 was a very important day in the history of the country.

In his address at a ceremonial event, Shio III noted that May 26 expressed the centuries-old aspiration and struggle of the Georgian people for freedom, for the protection of the Christian faith and national values.

“I congratulate you on Georgia’s Independence Day. May 26 is a very important day in the history of our country. It expresses the centuries-old aspiration and struggle of the Georgian people for freedom, for the protection of the Christian faith and national values”, the Catholicos-Patriarch said.

He emphasised that with the restoration of statehood on May 26, 1918, the Georgian nation once again demonstrated to the world its unwavering will to be free, independent and responsible for its own present and future.

“On the path of gaining and strengthening independence, the Georgian Orthodox Church has always been the spiritual pillar of the Georgian nation and the basis of national unity”, Shio III concluded.