Patriarch Shio III: Alongside knowledge, we must strive for Christian virtues; woe to him who acquires great knowledge yet empties his soul

“Above all, the Lord expects purity of heart from us. Alongside acquiring knowledge, we must take care to cultivate Christian virtues, without which no wisdom will come to us; without this, no matter how great an intellect a person possesses, no matter how vast their education, they remain spiritually blind,” declared the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Shio III, during his sermon at Sioni Cathedral.

The Patriarch congratulated the congregation on the start of the Church New Year [The Beginning of the Indiction] and the academic year.

“At the start of the new year, we always harbour hopes that this year will be happier, better, and that beneficial changes will take place within our souls, our lives, and our liturgical and spiritual life. May God grant that these hopes are fulfilled; may the Lord grant us the fulfilment of these hopes. Today, the academic year also begins in our theological academy, theological seminary, and other religious educational institutions. Studies will commence in Georgia’s schools and higher education institutions from tomorrow. I congratulate everyone on this day. Today, we ask the Lord for grace and succour for this academic year.

Learning is arduous work; it demands great effort and willpower, which is why we must often pray to the Lord to enlighten our minds and grant us wisdom. As Holy Scripture teaches us, the primary wisdom is the acquisition of wisdom itself, the attainment of which is far better than the acquisition of any gold or silver. If we wish to receive a true education and gain wisdom, we must not limit ourselves merely to diligence in one academic subject or another, or to the sole development of the mind and memory. That, of course, is also essential, but above all, the Lord expects purity of heart from us. This is spiritual development, which is precisely what wisdom is.

When this dimension is neglected during education, it is profoundly harmful, because if a person does not have a good heart, their knowledge becomes unfruitful, damaging, and even dangerous. Woe to that person who acquires great knowledge yet empties their own soul and heart. Alongside acquiring knowledge, we must first and foremost take care to cultivate Christian virtues. Without them, no wisdom will come to us, and without this, no matter how great an intellect a person has, no matter how vast their education, such a person remains spiritually blind and makes grave errors—a fact we have witnessed time and again in our public life. Therefore, we must acquire not merely knowledge, but true enlightenment. This is enlightenment through the light of Christ; this light must enter our hearts, our souls, and goodness must reign within our spirit. Then, we shall bring joy to God, be of service to our homeland, and be of help to fellow human beings,” stated Shio III.

Furthermore, during his sermon, the Catholicos-Patriarch remembered his predecessor, Ilia II, noting that this year marks the first ecclesiastical New Year that the congregation meets without him.

“We are reminded that this is precisely what His Holiness used to preach to us. His Holiness and Beatitude always emphasised that the most essential aspect of education is spiritual enlightenment and purity of heart. Once again, I congratulate you on this new ecclesiastical year and on the start of the academic studies. May God bless you and strengthen you. May God bless this new year with peace, goodness, and love. Dear children, dear students, teachers, may God bless your labour, your studies, and your endeavours, and grant you both earthly wisdom, which is so necessary, and, what is even more essential, fill you with spiritual wisdom,” said Shio III.