We see what is happening in Ukraine, it is very difficult to remain indifferent and untouched by current developments in the country - Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi, Eminence Grigol said on Monday during his sermon. 

The top cleric said that Georgia should be strengthened in the way to be able to protect its citizens in the case of [possible] invasions. 

"Our desire is for our country to become stronger, but not to oppress anyone, but to treat everyone with dignity and be able to defend itself and its citizens [if it is needed]. We see what is happening in Ukraine. It is one thing that we have seen in movies about World War I, World War II, and various historical encounters, but it is another thing what we see now in Ukraine. it is very difficult to remain indifferent and untouched by the developments”, said the Eminence. 

“It is very important that our country remains strong spiritually and physically in the face of various threats, that God gives us wisdom to make wise decisions", he added. 

During his sermon, the cleric also talked about the relationship between the church and the state and the need for balance between them.

"The issues of the relationship between the state and the church are a very delicate topic. In this relationship, it is often difficult to maintain a balance so that they can work together productively for the country and the people. We sometimes see and we know historically that if this balance is broken, either the church becomes a hostage of the state or vice versa. The breaking of the balance may lead to dire consequences”, said the Metropolitan. 

The eminence suggested that the purpose of the church “is not to become a physically powerful institution that directs people to the left or to the right, but the strength of the church is to lead the nation to God. The church has its distinct function of caring for the human soul”.

He stated that currently there is a constitutional agreement between the church and the state, “but this does not mean that everything is at the highest level. This is the format in which this cooperation should be developed, which should bring good to the citizens of this country”.