Georgian Patriarch: Orthodox church saved Orthodox faith, Georgian culture, Georgian language, written language

If the church was not an Orthodox, it is difficult to imagine what Georgia would be now, - His Holiness and Beatitude, Ilia II, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, said congratulating the parish on the Feast of Orthodoxy, which is celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent, InterPressNews reports.

"If the church was not an Orthodox, it is hard to imagine what Georgia would be today. Our church is a struggling church and this church has saved the Orthodox faith, Georgian culture, Georgian language, written language. On this day it was decided that the World Patriarchate recognized Georgia's independence and the rank of patriarch. Let the Orthodox faith be our guide, our savior," said the Patriarch.