“The world faces countless challenges, and our country cannot remain immune to them. In this situation, we must do everything to strengthen our nation and ensure that love triumphs over hatred,” declared Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on the occasion of the Svetitskhovloba Holiday.

The Prime Minister congratulated the congregation on Svetitskhovloba and emphasised that if the nation remains strong in faith, the country too will be strong.

“Today, we must once again express our gratitude to His Holiness and Beatitude for his many years of devoted service to the entire country. That the faithful are gathered here today in such numbers at the holy cathedral of Svetitskhoveli is testimony to this service. Our deepest thanks to the Patriarch for this. I wish to congratulate His Grace Bishop Shio, the members of the Holy Synod, and all the clergy who serve our Church on the Svetitskhovloba Holiday. I also wish to congratulate the faithful, the people of Mtskheta, and every son and daughter of Georgia.

This cathedral reminds us all of our responsibility towards our country, towards Christian culture, towards our Mother Church, that we must concern ourselves daily with strengthening our country, fortifying our Mother Church, and protecting and preserving our Christian culture and values,” Kobakhidze declared.

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, every Georgian citizen bears a responsibility to contribute to the nation’s strength.

“Next year we shall celebrate the 17th-century anniversary of Christianity being declared the state religion of Georgia, and this date will remind us how magnificent our nation is, its spirituality, its culture. All of this reminds us of our responsibility to future generations; that we must contribute to strengthening the country and caring for our Mother Church.

The world is beset by numerous problems and challenges, from wars to excessive hatred, which represents one of society’s gravest problems. Our country cannot remain untouched by this. In this situation, we must do everything to strengthen our nation and ensure that love triumphs over hatred. Therefore, I wish everyone love and strength in faith. Our history teaches us that when our nation was strong in faith, no one could defeat it. So it shall be in the future. As long as our nation remains strong in faith, no one can defeat us, and our country will be strong. I wish my country strength and unity,” the Prime Minister declared.