Christian values define Georgia’s history, traditions, culture for centuries - PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday said “Christian values have been the foundations of self-awareness of Georgians and defined the country’s history, traditions and culture for centuries”.

In his social media post, Garibashvili “heartily” congratulated the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia and Georgian society on the 106th anniversary of the restoration of autocephaly and wished peace, prosperity and progress to the Church, the country and its people.

The Georgian people returned to the ancient traditions of Orthodoxy, “the difficult path of restoration of historical justice” began in 1917, and at the same time, a decisive step was taken towards Georgia's independence, the PM noted.

He emphasised the “great symbolic meaning” of the day, citing "it has been another proof” of the independence and authority of the Church, as well as recognition of its important role in Georgia’s social life and “building a better future”.

The Head of the Government highlighted the “great work and international authority” of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II in restoring “historical justice” - the official recognition of ancient autocephaly of the country’s Church in 1990.