The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia the Second is sure that Georgia will regain its lost territories. Patriarch stated about it at the award ceremony in a Moscow church.

Ilia the Second was awarded with the prize from the Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations, which is headed by Russia’s Patriarch Kirill.

As the Patriarch of Georgia said, Georgian people deserve this prize, for revealing the grand love of God despite the communist heritage, who restored and built thousands of churches, monasteries and restored spirituality.

“For centuries, Georgia received great experience, though it always handled difficulties. We are sure that with the help of God, wise and brave people in Georgia, Russia and of course Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, Georgia’s territorial integrity will be restored. The sooner this happens, the better it will be for everyone”, the Patriarch declared.

The award ceremony was led by the Russia’s Patriarch. He said that Ilia the Second had a great role in establishing norms of Christian life and in strengthening belief. As Patriarch Kirill stated, Ilia the Second is respected by not only Georgian people, but the whole Orthodox Christendom.

“His wisdom and deep experience helped Russian and Georgian churches even in the most difficult years of relations between the states to preserve brotherly love”, - Patriarch Kirill declared. 

“Ave Maria” composed by the Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia was performed at the Christmas festival in Russia.