President of Georgia Attends Liturgical Service at Holy Trinity Cathedral Marking the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents

The President of Georgia, Mikheil Kavelashvili, attended the liturgical service dedicated to the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.

The President was accompanied at the solemn service by his children, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, as well as representatives of the executive and legislative branches of government.

Addressing the congregation gathered at the cathedral, the President emphasized that the family serves, above all, as a moral institution through which the nation preserves its unique culture, state consciousness and national identity.

"Today, on 17 May, we celebrate a special occasion - the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents. The family is, above all, a moral institution through which the nation preserves its unique culture, state consciousness and national identity. Georgia's history bears witness to the fact that the fate of the nation was determined not only on the battlefield, but often within the Georgian family itself. In times of war, when our statehood and Church came under threat, it was within the family home that our language and traditions were sustained, faith was fortified, and the ideals of patriotism and freedom were passed down from generation to generation. It is primarily within the family that an individual develops a love for the homeland. In Georgian folk tradition, a mother's prayer, a father's counsel and the memory of one's ancestors have long served as the invisible force guiding individuals along the right path. Just as our forebears believed, we too remain convinced today that a morally strong family constitutes the cornerstone of a strong state," stated Mikheil Kavelashvili.

The President of Georgia emphasized the pivotal role of the Mother Church in safeguarding and preserving the nation's most essential values. He also highlighted the contribution of His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II, noting that the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents was established at his initiative.

"In safeguarding and preserving this fundamental value, the role of our Mother Church has been of paramount importance. Today, as we speak of the sanctity of the family, it is impossible not to recall with profound gratitude the epoch-defining legacy of His Holiness and Beatitude, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II. It was through his initiative that the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents was established. During one of the most difficult periods in the country's history, His Holiness assumed the spiritual leadership of the nation. His contribution to supporting the country's demographic development is immeasurable. Through his initiative to baptize third and subsequent children, thousands of Georgian families were inspired with courage and faith. This tradition breathed new life into our demographic future and reminded each of us that every new life is among the nation's greatest treasures," stated the President of Georgia.

As stated by Mikheil Kavelashvili in his address, this invaluable spiritual legacy is being duly continued today by His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III.

"This invaluable spiritual legacy is being faithfully continued today by His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III. Under his leadership, the Church continues to stand firmly as a guardian of peace, unity, family values and moral resilience. In the context of the global challenges of the contemporary world, it is our duty to protect and strengthen this sacred space in which love, fidelity and intergenerational continuity are sustained. I congratulate you on the Day of Family Purity. May God bless, multiply and strengthen every Georgian family. May God strengthen our homeland - Georgia," stated the President of Georgia.

The festive liturgy was celebrated by His Holiness and Beatitude, Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia.