The Easter epistle of the Locum Tenens (acting representative) of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri), states that mutual support, prayer, unity, and love are the keys to ensuring that Georgia and the Georgian people worthily continue their ecclesiastical and state life.
“May the Risen Savior grant us firm faith, love, peace, unanimity, and wisdom!” he declared.
The text of the Easter message is dedicated to the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. It notes that his many years of labor “were not easy.”
Metropolitan Shio noted that the fruit of boundless love and faith was the miracle “we witnessed in the days following the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude,” pointing out that much will be written about the deeds of Ilia II, but the most valuable thing, the Locum Tenens emphasized, is the primary Christian virtue he nurtured — love.
“It was precisely the fruit of this boundless love and faith that became the miracle we saw in the days following the passing of His Holiness and Beatitude. All of Georgia, a sea of people, in a continuous stream and with reverence, came to pay their respects to the departed Patriarch.
The people, united as one, accompanied their weary spiritual father until the last minute — in silence, with tears, with love and gratitude… We thank the Lord and each of you for this unity!
We also thank those who were unable to participate directly in the service but were with us spiritually and strengthened us with their prayers…
It is precisely mutual support, prayer, unity, and love that are the guarantee that we will worthily continue our ecclesiastical and state life.
May the Risen Savior grant us firm faith, love, peace, unanimity, and wisdom!
Therefore, let us rejoice and in unity glorify the Lord, for ‘the day of Resurrection and so let us divinely cry out: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life'” (Pentecostarion — an Orthodox liturgical book containing hymns and services for the period from Easter to the Sunday of All Saints. It is dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ, the Ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit, marking a time of spiritual joy — Ed.), the message from Locum Tenens Shio reads.