Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s third president, has addressed the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, calling on Shio III to strengthen the Church and stay close to the people. He wished him to “worthily continue the path of Patriarch Ilia II” and to manage the spiritual challenges of the modern era. The former president urged the strengthening of the Church and taking steps toward “eliminating Russian influence and narratives.” From prison, Saakashvili expressed hope that Shio III would remain as close as possible to ordinary people and distance himself from those who, in his words, “oppress the people.” “I wish to address you regarding your election as Patriarch. I wish for you to worthily continue the path of Patriarch Ilia II, to handle the spiritual challenges of the modern age, to strengthen the Church, and to take […]”
Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia’s third president, addressed the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and called on Shio III to strengthen the Church and stay close to the people, wishing him to “worthily continue the path of Patriarch Ilia II” and to manage the spiritual challenges of modern times.
The former president urged the strengthening of the Church and taking steps toward “eliminating Russian influence and narratives.” From prison, Saakashvili expressed hope that Shio III would remain as close as possible to ordinary people and distance himself from those who, in his words, “oppress the people.”
“I wish to address you regarding your election as Patriarch. I wish for you to worthily continue the path of Patriarch Ilia II, to handle the spiritual challenges of the modern age, to strengthen the Church, and to take steps toward eliminating Russian influence and narratives. <…> It would please me if you were as close as possible to ordinary people and as far as possible from those who oppress them,” the text states.
Addressing the new Patriarch, Saakashvili noted that he was writing as a parishioner of the Church and as a leader of the period when, in his words, “the Georgian Orthodox Church was strengthened to an historically unprecedented degree.”
He recalled the restoration of approximately 300 churches, including Bagrati, the cathedral in Poti, and Nekresi, as well as the return of believers to church life.
Saakashvili also pointed to the introduction of state budgetary funding for the Church and the granting of state status to the five-cross flag.
According to him, the Georgian Church is a “key part of national and state identity” and requires special protection from external interference.
In conclusion, he emphasized that every citizen of Georgia, regardless of political views, should perceive the Church as a “native spiritual pillar” where discrimination is unacceptable, and the Church itself must protect people from injustice and provide them with support.