Georgian Patriarch’s Easter message: “greatest heartache” caused by war waged by Russia in Ukraine

The ongoing wars in the world today, especially the one waged by Russia in Ukraine with its “horrific facts” and the “gravest atrocity”, cause the “greatest heartache,” the annual Easter epistle of the Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II said. 

The Patriarch said the current situation in Ukraine raised a “universal fear” due to its uncertain outcome, noting “the most important thing is not to lose human dignity even in the most difficult situation, not to lose faith and love for the creator.” 

The epistle stressed the importance of “compassion and kindness” to the victims of war including the injured, the prisoners of war, women, children and the elderly, in order to “overcome evil.” 

• Georgia celebrates Orthodox Easter

The Patriarch called the war between the two countries a “great tragedy,” noting it had taken the lives of thousands of people, violated “laws, morals and values”, and brought destruction and material cultural damage. He added the conflict “sowed cruelty” and “universal hatred”, creating a “very difficult” situation. 

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called the Patriarch’s message “wise and thoughtful” in his comments on the religious celebration, saying “every word” in the epistle had been “very interesting and deep.” 

Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, also responded to the message, stressing the importance of “thinking about the Ukrainian people” and “bringing peace” to their country as soon as possible.