Metropolitan Shio: The Teachings and Legacy of the Catholicos-Patriarch Continue Unceasingly in Every Believer

The teachings and legacy of the Catholicos-Patriarch continue tirelessly and unceasingly in every faithful believer, according to the Easter Epistle of Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsku, Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of All Georgia.

The epistle states that by following in the footsteps of his predecessors and through the fulfillment of God-pleasing deeds, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II breathed new life into the Georgian Orthodox Church.

According to Metropolitan Shio, mutual support, prayer, unity, and love are the foundation for the достой continuation of both ecclesiastical and state life.

“We have passed through the holy period of Great Lent, during which Christians prepare to meet the Risen Savior. Through prayer and fasting, we sought the purification of our souls, so that, drawing closer to the all-merciful Lord, we might become worthy to hear His words: ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).

However, during this time of preparation, our hearts were filled with sorrow, as during the week of the Veneration of the Cross, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, reposed in the Lord.

Now, as we, orphaned by the passing of our beloved spiritual father, witness death defeated through Christ’s Resurrection, we are especially comforted by the words of the Psalmist David: ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints’ (Psalm 115:6), for for us Christians, death is not destruction, but a path toward salvation and eternal blessedness. This is the meaning of the joy of the Resurrection, the foundation of hope and joy for every person.”

The epistle emphasizes that the 49-year ministry of His Holiness was a source of hope and joy for all, as his fatherly love, prayers, and care extended to all of Georgia and every individual.

Metropolitan Shio underlines that the long years of patriarchal service were not easy, describing them as a path of sacrifice and spiritual struggle. Ilia II inherited a Church oppressed and diminished under an atheistic regime and left behind a revived and strengthened Church that today plays a vital role in the life of the country and society.

The Patriarch’s wisdom is compared to that of Moses, who led his people through trials, strengthened the fallen, united the scattered, and directed hearts toward God. His word and prayer served as a guiding pillar for the nation emerging from spiritual captivity.

According to the epistle, even after his passing, the Patriarch continues to spiritually guide, unite, and inspire the people.

“It can be confidently said that Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, by walking in the path of his predecessors and fulfilling God-pleasing works, breathed new life into the Georgian Orthodox Church.

His teachings and legacy continue unceasingly in every believer, whose hearts, directed toward God, glorify the Risen Savior in unity.”

The epistle notes that much has been said and written about his legacy, and much more will be written, but the greatest achievement of His Holiness is the highest Christian virtue-love.

This love and faith were especially evident in the days following his passing, as vast numbers of people from across Georgia came to pay their respects. The nation stood united, accompanying their spiritual father with silence, tears, love, and gratitude.

The epistle concludes with gratitude to God and to all who demonstrated unity, including those who could not physically attend but were spiritually present through prayer.

“Mutual support, prayer, unity, and love are the guarantee that we will достой continue our ecclesiastical and state life.”