On the 16th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war, Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi, Eminence Grigol, delivered a sermon, calling on Georgians to reflect on the sacrifices made during the conflict and to unite in their love for the homeland.
Addressing the congregation, the top cleric emphasized the importance of remembering the past, not only as a way to mourn but also as an opportunity to understand the events that transpired. “On this day, we mourn, but we also reflect on what happened and why it happened,” he said. “Let us pray that the blood spilled does not turn out to be in vain.”
He spoke of the “hard and bitter moments” that cost many lives but underscored the dignity and statehood that were preserved through such sacrifices. “Statehood means that all rights, means, and conditions for the welfare of the nation should be protected,” he added.
Eminence Grigol also highlighted the necessity of unity among the people of Georgia. He urged the faithful to come together, both spiritually and physically, to protect the country and ensure a bright future. “We love our motherland; we do not choose another, and no one should avoid this duty,” he stressed. “It is essential that we are united in one spirit and equipped with a common responsibility. May God grant us unity in the love of our country.”
The sermon concluded with a reflection on memory and the legacy of those who perished. “A person dies physically when his body dies, but there is a second death when the dead are no longer remembered,” he said and stressed that as long as the fallen were remembered, they remained a part of the nation’s life and history. “To forget them is to pass judgment on ourselves and our nation because whoever forgets the past will not have a future.”
