“Today, when the entire world faces global challenges, it is of tremendous importance that our nation be united, that we strive for the unity of our people. Today’s celebration teaches us precisely this, that there should be greater love amongst our nation and greater love of faith,” declared Georgia’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili, to journalists at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where he attended the Christmas service.

According to him, it is impossible to imagine Georgia today without Christianity and Orthodoxy.

“There exists no greater event in the history of mankind than today, the Nativity of Christ. Therefore, even though our hierarchs, our clergy, our Holiness care so deeply, and immeasurable is their labour and worth in ensuring that Christian faith is so strong in our nation, we must strengthen our faith even more, because it has been 1,700 years since our nation embraced Christianity. We all know well, from our ancestors onwards, what our country has survived and how many times it has been preserved. It is precisely this faith that has brought us to this point. It is impossible to imagine Georgia today without Christianity and Orthodoxy; it is precisely this fusion with Christianity that defines our homeland. May the grace of this day cover all of Georgia,” the President declared.

According to him, Georgia today has a government that prioritises its country’s national interests above all else.

“Naturally, in everyday matters, each of us bears different duties and obligations, and our society knows very well that Georgia today has a government that places first and foremost its country’s national interest, the challenges facing its homeland, and this shall continue. Whatever happens around us, we must always defend our national interest, and this shall continue.

I wish to reassure, to calm, and once again to congratulate our society on this day. Let us be more steadfast in our faith and trust in each other, trust in our government, which has proven time and again that it is essential, first and foremost, to care and labour based on our country’s interests,” stated Mikheil Kavelashvili.