Patriarch: Georgia not to restore its territorial integrity with hatred

16:58, 08.08.2023

The Georgian Orthodox Church released a statement of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, on the 15th anniversary of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

Ilia II remarked that 15 years have passed since the war, which left 20% of Georgia’s territory invaded by Russia.

“We have repeatedly declared at the international level, and I will reiterate that both the Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions are inseparable parts of our land. Our homeland will restore its territorial integrity, but we should deserve God’s mercy. We will not reach it with hatred, detestation and deception,” he said.

Patriarch added that the Georgian church prays for the country’s territorial integrity, spiritual unity, and those who lost their lives for the motherland.

“May God bless all of Georgia with unity,” reads the Patriarch’s statement.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

Society

Ilia II