Patriarch Shio III: Despite many storms that beset Georgia and our church, no tempest could ever shake Ilia II

“We are gathered today to remember once again our beloved great hierarch and father, Ilia, his labours, his character, and to express our gratitude and love towards him. May God bless his soul, grant him rest, and establish him in the Kingdom of Heaven,” stated His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, during his sermon at the Holy Trinity Patriarchal Cathedral on the Feast of Elijah (Iliaoba).

Metropolitan Shio spoke on the significance of the Gospel passage read during the liturgy and recalled the life and ministry of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
Your Graces, honourable fathers, dear brothers and sisters, I congratulate you on the Feast of Saint Elijah!

Today we commemorate the Holy Prophet Elijah the Tishbite, and Saint Ilia the Righteous (Chavchavadze).

On this day, we would traditionally gather to congratulate Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia on his name day.

These three great figures lived in vastly different eras and times, yet a central calling united them. They were spiritual leaders of their peoples, zealous defenders of the true faith, and steadfast opponents of those forces warring against spiritual and national values. One might say they played a decisive role in safeguarding those very values.

Today is of paramount importance for Georgia, our development, and our history, as we mark the anniversary of the miracle on Mount Tkhoti experienced by Saint King Mirian, Equal-to-the-Apostles. As you recall, it was this very miracle that prompted his conversion to the true faith, leading him to accept Christianity and subsequently declare it the state religion.

This year, we celebrate the 1700th anniversary of that momentous event. Thus, this day holds profound significance for us all.

There is much we wish to say today regarding His Holiness and Beatitude, his virtues and his noble qualities. On this day, we have always acknowledged these with deep gratitude and love. Today, however, I wish to draw your attention to specific traits from his life and ministry that resonate remarkably with today’s Gospel reading.

Today you heard the account of the miracle of walking on the sea. After our Saviour fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fish, ‘besides women and children,’ as the Gospel specifies (Matt. 14:21), He sent the crowds away, and He instructed the disciples to cross the Sea of Gennesaret ahead of Him while He remained behind in solitude to pray.

By nightfall, a violent storm arose. The disciples were out at sea in a boat tossed by the waves, for, as Saint Matthew the Evangelist writes, ‘the wind was contrary.’ Suddenly, they saw the Lord Jesus walking towards them on the water and were terrified, believing they were seeing a ghost. But the Lord spoke to them, saying: ‘Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter replied: ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ said the Lord. Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking, but when he saw the wind and heard the roaring tempest, he grew afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out in fear: ‘Lord, save me!’ The Lord reached out His hand, caught him, and asked: ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ Once they climbed into the boat, the wind died down, and together with the Saviour, they reached the shore at Gennesaret (Matt. 14:22–34).

This passage from the Gospel naturally reminds us of our own lives, filled with life’s tempests that collide with our faith, our conscience, and the finest aspirations of our hearts, seeking to sink our fragile vessel.

At times, deliverance seems out of reach. Yet through today’s Gospel, the Lord teaches us that amid every storm and turmoil, these comforting, cherished words of the Lord Jesus Christ ring out: ‘Do not be afraid; I am with you. Take courage!’

If we attend to these words, and press forward towards the Lord like Peter, He will surely take us by the hand, enter our boat, and become our companion. The storm will subside, and He will guide us safely to shore; His faith, grace, and power will bring us to the ultimate purpose for which we live and are called.

Yet what must we possess, dear brothers and sisters? Only that our spiritual hearing does not fail us, so that we may always hear the Lord’s words: ‘I am with you; take courage, do not be afraid!’

When we remember Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, I am sure you will agree that this quality distinguished him above all: his spiritual hearing never failed him, and he constantly heard those cherished words of the Lord.
He laboured throughout his life not only to hear these words himself, but to ensure that the entire nation, the whole Georgian people, might hear them too. Despite the many storms that beset Georgia and our Church during the leadership of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, no tempest could ever frighten or shake His Holiness. Unwavering, he pressed on towards the Lord, leading the entire nation, steering the ship of the Church with steadfast faith and resolve, leaving an orderly, strengthened, and flourishing Church behind for us, his spiritual children.

For all of this, we owe him profound gratitude. The entire Georgian nation gives thanks and responds with deep love, esteem, and devotion, manifested with poignant force during the days of his passing and burial.
We are gathered today to remember once again our beloved great hierarch and father, Ilia, his labours, his character, and to express our gratitude and love towards him. May God bless his soul, grant him rest, and establish him in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Once again, I congratulate you on the Feast of Saint Elijah. Through the prayers of the Holy Prophet Elijah and Saint Ilia the Righteous (Chavchavadze), may God bless you and bring you joy!

May God bless, protect, unite, and strengthen the whole of Georgia. Amen!

Today we also offer our blessings upon the families of Markoidze, Kandelaki, Simsive, and Indashvili. May God bring you joy, strength, and abundance. Amen!” stated Metropolitan Shio.