September 16, 2011
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He made the comments standing beside President Mikheil Saakashvili in a newly opened church close to the Russian border.
Ilia II said that the new church in the Dariali Gorge in the mountainous Kazbegi district was of special importance, because of its proximity to the border with Russia and could even serve as a venue “for talks between the heads of state”.
Ilia II went on to say in his speech at the opening of the church: “I think this church will show us a miracle and I think that this miracle will be expressed in [the fact] that our countries will again be in a peaceful relationship.”
This part of the patriarch’s speech was included in a press release on the ceremony, put out by the Georgian Presidential Administration.
The press release says: “His Holiness and Beatitude [Ilia II] expressed hope that with the blessing of this church the two countries [Georgia and Russia] will restore relations and peace will be established again.”
Ilia II, whom former US ambassador to Georgia John Tefft described in one of the cables leaked by WikiLeaks as an “astute diplomat”, called on the Georgian and Russian leaders in March “to show wisdom” and launch talks “on various levels” between the two countries.
Mikheil Saakashvili said in his speech at the opening that “we build churches while some politicians say that the government fights churches”.
He said that the monastery complex in the Dariali Gorge had been funded by personal donations, though the Georgian government had made the main donation. The president said that churches would be built in future too, as this was the duty of the government. He described the church as Georgia's most important spiritual heritage and part of Georgia’s identity.
The patriarch performed divine service at the Archangel Monastery Complex in the Dariali Gorge for the first time. President Saakashvili attended the service.
