“It is our duty to preserve the unity left to us by the Patriarch and, with the greatest respect for his memory, to continue his path with due dignity,” reads the statement by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, on the Day of the Restoration of the Autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

“Today, we mark the historic day of the restoration of the autocephaly of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church.

This year, this solemn date is overshadowed by national grief. We have bid farewell to the spiritual leader of the nation, His Holiness Ilia II. Among his many great contributions, one of the most significant was the international recognition of the ancient autocephaly of our Mother Church.

On March 25, 1917, with the declaration of autocephaly, the Georgian nation restored historical justice. However, it was through the Patriarch’s tremendous efforts that we ultimately achieved full and final victory.

In 1990, as a result of his tireless work and the highest international authority he commanded, the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially recognised the historical autocephaly of our Church and its Patriarchal title. This was a decisive step not only in strengthening the Church but also in consolidating the sovereignty of the Georgian state.

Today, on the ninth day since his passing, as the entire country mourns, this invaluable achievement-a firm foundation of our spiritual and national identity-most clearly reflects the epochal legacy of Ilia II.

Congratulations on this historic day. It is our duty to preserve the unity left to us by the Patriarch and, with the greatest respect for his memory, to continue his path with due dignity,” reads the Prime Minister’s statement.