LCatholicos-Patriarch Ilia II issues Christmas Epistle

“The coming of Jesus Christ into the world is the greatest miracle since the creation of the world and the greatest miracle that will ever occur, for nothing can be compared to the incomparable birth of God,” said Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II in his Christmas Epistle.

The Patriarch emphasises that through His life, Christ offered humanity a personal example of humility, patience, righteousness, peace, and love.

Drawing parallels between modern scientific discoveries and faith, Ilia II highlights the complexity of the universe and the human being, stressing that human life is neither accidental nor meaningless. He underlines that humanity is created with a great purpose and bears responsibility for realizing a higher spiritual calling.

The Patriarch also recalls the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, celebrated in 2025, noting its historic role in shaping Christian doctrine, church order, and the foundations of church–state relations. He expresses pride that Georgia recognized Christianity as a state religion in 326, placing the country among the leading Christian nations of that era.

“In 2025, the Christian world marked the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, which became a major turning point in human history. The Council defined the unified faith of the Christian world, established church order, and introduced a new model of relations between the Church and the state, later forming the foundation of the political and social architecture of both Eastern and Western civilisations.

It is a matter of pride that exactly one year after this historic event, in 326, Georgia recognized Christianity as the state religion. This placed the country among the leading nations of its time in terms of spiritual values, a just understanding of law and justice, and state responsibility for the highest ideals defined by the Council of Nicaea.

The proclamation of Christianity as the state religion was the result of faith that had been sown in Georgia since apostolic times, beginning in the first century.

Today, amid numerous cultural and worldview challenges, the historical period of 325–326 once again reminds us that the strength of the Georgian nation is rooted in the unity of Christian values, spiritual life, and civic order, as well as in the choice the country made 1,700 years ago. Preserving these values is not only a commitment to the past, but also a fundamental condition for correctly shaping the future, as the Lord and His teachings are eternal and not subject to the changes of time,” the Christmas Epistle reads.

In his message, Ilia II calls on believers to focus on spiritual growth and personal responsibility for eternal life. He warns against indifference to faith and moral decline, stressing that spiritual death becomes most dangerous when it is perceived as normal.

The Patriarch urges the faithful to remain steadfast in their spiritual life, to respond to God’s love with faith and repentance, and to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of their lives.