Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II released traditional Easter Epistle on the occasion of Easter. It was read to believers at the Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral in Tbilisi.

In his epistle, the Patriarch focused on a number of issues, including the importance of faith. „The atheism wave has been strengthened worldwide and its influence is felt in our country as well. It has become clear how human can be easily degraded, can become unwise and self-destructive without the faith in the Lord“, – the Epistle reads.

As Patriarch says, it is important to have spiritual, prayerful communication with the Lord and read the Bible.

Ilia II reminded believers two commandments and drew attention to the feeling of love, noting that relations where there is pride, envy, drunkenness and drug addiction cannot be called love, since, in fact, it is slavery to passions and sins.

Ilia II touched upon the issue of intergenerational relations, noting that it always contained difficulties. “Relations between generations will be problematic until both sides fail to see the most important things that they personally lack and what can and should be learned from each other… Cooperation and the need for mutual replenishment should be felt from both sides. This is necessary for the normal development of any country”, – he said.

According to Patriarch, the indicator of selfishness overcome and correct spiritual development can be shown in our attitude towards the homeland.

“Today’s reality shows that several types of attacks are carried out in this direction: some, supported by external forces, stir the separatist spirit and create a theory of the division of the country; some develop wrong directions under the name of patriotism; others talk about general human values ​​and think that patriotism is backwardness.

There is no present without a past. Knowing the history of the homeland is necessary for any decent person and for the state. Since it is one of the main guarantees of strength. This knowledge, combined with the right thinking, enhances the feeling such as unselfish service for the idea, loyalty, bravery, intellect,  which make the efforts of the evil unsuccessful”, – Ilia II added.

Today, Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Easter –  the central religious holiday in the Christian liturgical year. Easter Liturgy was conducted at Sameba (Holy Trinity) Cathedral in Tbilisi.