Head of Czech Church wishes Georgian Patriarch strength, wisdom, health

Metropolitan Rastislav of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia on Sunday congratulated Shio III on his accession to the service of Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church and wished him strength, peace and spiritual wisdom in leading the faithful.

Speaking at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, Rastislav said Shio III’s election as Patriarch was “a clear manifestation of God’s providence”.

He said the Georgian people’s long history of suffering and challenges demonstrated their devotion to Christianity and the Church.

“For many centuries, despite numerous challenges and suffering, the Georgian people have shown heroic faithfulness to the Christian faith, to Christ and to His Holy Church,” he said.

Rostislav also praised the Georgian people’s spiritual endurance and the sacrifices of martyrs, monks and saints throughout the country’s history.

“The history of the Georgian people is watered with the blood of martyrs. It was shaped through prayers, the spiritual heroism of monks, the wisdom of saints and the perseverance of those who preserved the faith despite persecution,” he stated.

Addressing Shio III directly, the Metropolitan said the new Patriarch was continuing Georgia’s “God-blessed heritage” while facing the challenges of the modern world.

“I wholeheartedly pray and wish that the all-merciful Lord grants you strength, peace, spiritual wisdom and health, so that you may tirelessly and patiently lead your people along the path of Holy Scripture,” Rastislav said.

He also expressed confidence that relations between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia would continue to deepen “in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation”.

“The world today greatly needs the word of Christ, which brings truth and understanding among people,” he added.