Patriarch: humanity is endowed with boundless potential, our existence is neither accidental nor meaningless

The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has said that human beings are under special care and possess immeasurable potential, stressing that human existence in this world cannot be accidental or without purpose.

The remarks are contained in the Patriarch’s Christmas Epistle, which reflects on the value of human life and the deeper meaning of existence.

According to the Epistle, modern scientific research confirms that every human being is a miracle in itself, including each organ and the complexity of its functions. The Patriarch cites the human brain as an example, noting that it contains up to 86 billion neurons and hundreds of trillions of interconnections that transmit millions of commands daily without interfering with one another, an intricacy that surpasses human imagination.

“These processes represent only a small manifestation of the potential embedded within us,” the Epistle states.

The Patriarch raises a rhetorical question as to whether such complexity and perfection were granted merely for a fleeting and meaningless everyday existence, highlighting that the world and the cosmos are arranged with extraordinary precision to support human life.

The Epistle points to the balance of nature, the succession of seasons and the abundance of plants, animals, birds and marine life, as well as essential elements such as water, air and land, all of which serve humanity.

“Thus, even without fully realising it, we are under special care, endowed with indescribable potential, and our presence in this world cannot be accidental or meaningless,” the Epistle reads, adding that human life carries profound responsibility and is a prerequisite for fulfilling a greater purpose.

The Patriarch notes that this understanding of human existence was well known in earlier centuries, long before modern times.