Bishop Iakob calls for national reconciliation, urges unity amid political divisions

Bodbe Bishop Iakob has called on Georgian society to move toward reconciliation, saying that those who refuse dialogue will make it clear who truly seeks peace and who does not.

Speaking during a sermon on Monday, Bishop Iakob congratulated the government, the military, the opposition and citizens participating in anti-Government street protests, stressing the need for unity around what he described as a shared national cause.

“On this great day, I congratulate our government and our armed forces. I congratulate our opposition as well, and also those people who are out in the streets - although I truly do not know why they are there or what they want,” he said. “But let it be so that all of us together are doing one great Georgian cause.”

The bishop emphasized that Georgia’s history did not begin in 2003 or 2012 and warned against deepening internal divisions.

“Enough of devouring one another. Christ forgives us many mistakes; at the very least, we should call each other and talk,” he said, urging both the government and the Church to jointly promote reconciliation.

Bishop Iakob warned that social polarization is damaging families and friendships, calling such divisions “nothing but barbarity.”

“We must demand that we move toward reconciliation. Whoever refuses this path will show everyone who wants peace and who does not,” he said. “We should compete with one another in doing good for Georgia, not in boasting.”

Calling for solidarity, he added that Georgians should not fear or distrust one another and instead focus on strengthening the country.

“We must stand together against a common enemy, strengthen Georgia, and resolve our internal issues afterward,” Bishop Iakob concluded.