The tradition of universal baptisms established by Ilia II, which has contributed to the demographic progress and spiritual strengthening of our nation, will continue, said the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, Shio III.

Speaking in a sermon at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi during the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, Shio III said the observance of this day keeps Ilia II’s spiritual legacy alive.

“It is symbolic that today our Church and nation are marking the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents, established by the blessed Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II. This year we celebrate it for the first time without him, yet through this celebration his great spiritual legacy continues to live on,” he said.

He added that Ilia II’s initiatives, including the practice of mass baptisms, will continue and remain an important factor in strengthening family life and supporting demographic growth.

Shio III also expressed gratitude to the Georgian people, clergy, and monastic community for their prayers and support, saying that their encouragement strengthens his spiritual resolve in carrying out his responsibilities.

He emphasized that in today’s world, the Orthodox Church has an important mission as a moral guide and a unifying force for society, while also calling for cooperation between the Church and the state in raising future generations and protecting family values. According to him, the family is not only a private sphere but also the foundation of national identity and statehood, and its stability determines the strength of the country.

“We all need to realize that the family is not only a personal space, but also the foundation of national identity. It is the strength of the family that determines a strong and united state. When speaking about the family, we must also remember our spiritual children living outside Georgia and thank the representatives of local Orthodox Churches for caring for our compatriots, for the spiritual comfort found within the walls of their churches for Georgians living abroad, and for alleviating the great spiritual pain of being far from their homeland,” said Shio III.