“Georgian autocephaly won official recognition in 1990 on the basis of merit of our wise Patriarch Ilia II,” Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated during a solemn church service on the occasion of Georgian autocephaly restoration day at the Sioni Cathedral.

“Throughout our history, the history of the Georgian nation, the Georgian Orthodox Church has always passed down the core values ​​that were related to our statehood, Georgian culture and faith which represent the basis of the Georgian identity from generation to generation. Without exaggeration, the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church has always been crucial for the development of our nation,” PM Garibashvili said.

The GOC marks the 105th anniversary of the restoration of autocephaly today.

Patriarchal locum tenens Shio Mujiri conducted the solemn church service at the Sioni Cathedral. President Salome Zourabichvili, PM Irakli Garibashvili, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and members of the parliament and Tbilisi City Assembly (Sakrebulo) attended the church service.

Georgian Orthodox Church restored autocephaly on March 25, 1917. World Orthodox Patriarchates officially recognized Georgian autocephaly in 1990.