President Kavelashvili: no matter pressure, Georgians will not change

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has paid tribute to Ilia II, saying the unity displayed during the Patriarch’s funeral showed that Georgians remain steadfast despite any external or internal pressure.

Speaking at the funeral ceremony in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, Kavelashvili said Georgia was bowing before the “immortal soul” of its Patriarch in a place symbolising the country’s statehood, strength and continuity.

“Today, we face an era that we can boldly call ‘the Patriarch’s Georgia’,” he said, adding that Ilia II’s life and work united civic duty with spiritual mission, shaping the nation’s identity.

Kavelashvili noted that following the restoration of independence, during some of the country’s most difficult periods, the Patriarch served as a key pillar for the nation.

“When despair surrounded us, his calm voice brought comfort and hope for survival. He taught us that even in the greatest trials, the way forward lies in faith in God and love for one another,” he said.

The President stressed that Ilia II’s contribution to preserving national identity and culture was immeasurable, adding that he helped return Georgians to their historical roots and reinforced the idea that national identity is a living and enduring spiritual force.

“You returned us to our historical roots and convinced us that being Georgian is not merely a legacy of the past, but a living, eternal spiritual force,” he said.

Kavelashvili added the sense of unity felt during the mourning period reflects the enduring influence of Ilia II.

“In these silent lines and sorrowful faces, we see the invisible, divine thread that your love wove among us,” he said.

He added that the concept of “the Patriarch’s Georgia” represents not only a historical era but also a manifestation of national character.

“Today, everyone has seen, both at home and abroad, that no matter what pressure may be placed upon us, a Georgian will not change. Our true identity is here: in this cathedral, in this shared grief and reverence,” Kavelashvili said.

He concluded by saying that even in death, the Patriarch had delivered a final lesson by uniting the nation once more and reminding it of its core values - love, humanity and unwavering unity.

“We will continue along the path you have bequeathed to us. May God bless your immortal soul and may God bless Georgia,” he said.