The “National Movement” (United National Movement, UNM) party has congratulated Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III on his appointment as head of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC), welcoming the move as a political force founded on Christian-Democratic and conservative values. In a statement, the United National Movement said that the party’s period of governance in Georgia’s modern history was marked by the “harmonization of state and church interests” and laid the foundations for the institutional strengthening of the Church. The party also noted that a large-scale cultural restoration was carried out during this period: hundreds of churches and monasteries were restored and returned to their original appearance, including the Bagrati Cathedral, the Poti Cathedral, Nekresi, and other national shrines. Special mention was made of the change in state symbols, specifically granting the five-cross flag the status of […]
The “National Movement” party has congratulated Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III on his appointment as head of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC), welcoming the move as a political force founded on Christian-Democratic and conservative values.
In a statement, the United National Movement (UNM) said that the party’s period of governance in Georgia’s modern history was marked by the “harmonization of state and church interests” and laid the foundations for the institutional strengthening of the Church.
The party also noted that a large-scale cultural restoration was carried out during this period: hundreds of churches and monasteries were restored and returned to their original appearance, including the Bagrati Cathedral, the Poti Cathedral, Nekresi, and other national shrines.
Special mention was made of the change in state symbols, specifically granting the five-cross flag the status of the national flag, which the statement claims “symbolically reflected the inseparable bond between the people and the Church.”
The UNM emphasizes that it was during this period that state funding for the Church became a matter of government responsibility, aimed at restoring historical justice and supporting its spiritual mission.
Regarding the current situation, Saakashvili’s party stated that against the backdrop of global challenges, the Georgian Orthodox Church faces the task of “wise renewal” to continue its historical role as a unifying force for society and a pillar of national identity.
The UNM noted that the modern political climate requires the Church to show principle and courage on several “existential issues,” such as:
- Orthodox unity: a correct assessment within the international context regarding the Tomos of the Ukrainian Church (autocephaly);
- De-occupation: protecting the legal status of our churches and dioceses in the territories occupied by the Russian Federation at the international level;
- Historical heritage: protecting the Tao-Klarjeti complex, the status of the Hereti diocese, and the restoration of the Gelati Monastery.
“These issues go beyond the religious sphere—they are an integral part of state dignity and national strategy. We hope that the activities of His Holiness and Beatitude Shio III will be based on national interests, spiritual fortitude, and public consensus. May it please God that his service be successful for the benefit of strengthening the Church and unifying Georgia. God bless Georgia and its Church!” the statement reads.
