Patriarch congratulates Nona Gaprindashvili on her 85th birthday

Shio III, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, has congratulated Georgian chess player Nona Gaprindashvili on her 85th birthday.

In his congratulatory message, the Patriarch said that Gaprindashvili’s name has long transcended the world of sports and has become a symbol of Georgia’s dignity, talent, intellect, and perseverance.

“There are people who, through their lives and achievements, secure a place in the nation’s history as truly exceptional figures. Nona Gaprindashvili is one such distinguished and admired individual. Her name has long gone beyond the realm of sports and represents the dignity, talent, intellect, and perseverance of our country.

Nona Gaprindashvili has not only brought honor to her homeland on the world stage but has also become an example of tireless dedication, patriotism, and love for the country for many generations. Her remarkable victories are forever inseparably linked with the name of Georgia.

We wholeheartedly congratulate her on this milestone anniversary and thank her for her outstanding contribution, which serves as a shining example of how hard work, talent, and devotion can earn the love and respect of an entire nation,” the message reads.