Easter Epistle of the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku:

“Today the world rejoices and celebrates. The Savior of the world—the beginning and source of life—has risen from the dead and shattered the gates of hell. The Lord is risen: the bonds of evil are broken, the power of the devil is destroyed, and eternal light has shone upon all creation. The risen Lord has filled every closed and hidden door with love.

Today the incomprehensible mystery is revealed—the Resurrection of Christ, the cornerstone of our faith. As the Apostle Paul says: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Cor. 15:17). The Savior, who was incarnate, crucified, and buried for our sake, has raised human nature from the dead, conquered hell, and restored humanity to its original heavenly blessedness, freeing it from the bondage of sin.

Great is the joy brought by this event. All creation rejoices together, proclaiming with Saint Gregory the Theologian:

“Today salvation has come to the world… Christ is risen from the dead—rise with Him! Free yourselves from the bonds of sin!”

We have passed through the period of Holy Great Lent, preparing ourselves through prayer and fasting to meet the Risen Savior. Yet this journey was marked by sorrow, as during the week of the Veneration of the Cross, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness Ilia II, departed this life. Now, even as we feel orphaned, we are comforted by the Resurrection and the words of the Psalmist:

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

For Christians, death is not destruction, but the path to eternal life.
The 49-year ministry of His Holiness was a source of hope and joy for all. His fatherly love, prayer, and care embraced the entire nation. He inherited a persecuted Church under an atheistic regime and left behind a renewed and strengthened Church that plays a vital role in society today.
Like Moses, he led the nation through trials, encouraging the fallen, uniting the scattered, and guiding hearts toward God. His word and prayer became a pillar that showed the way out of spiritual darkness.
Even after his passing, his legacy continues—uniting, guiding, and strengthening the faithful. His greatest gift to us was the embodiment of the highest Christian virtue: love. This love was clearly seen in the days following his death, when the nation stood united in grief, gratitude, and reverence.

We thank the Lord and each of you for this unity. We also thank those who, though unable to attend in person, supported us through prayer.
Mutual support, unity, and love are the foundation for continuing our church and national life with dignity. May the Risen Savior grant us firm faith, peace, unity, and wisdom.

Let us rejoice together and praise the Lord:

“This is the day of Resurrection; let us be radiant, O people… Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and granting life to those in the tombs.”

Christ is Risen!
Tbilisi
Easter, 2026