Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church sent a message on Thursday to Shio III, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, marking 1,700 years since Christianity was proclaimed as state religion, in which he stressed that the anniversary was an opportunity to strengthen faith and look to the future with hope and responsibility.

'This anniversary is a particularly important moment for the entire Orthodox Church. The event reminds us of the beginnings of Christianity in Georgia and of the missionary work through which the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was preached and embraced by the Georgian people. Saint Nina, Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia, holds a special place in this history. Her faith and devotion helped spread Christianity throughout the country,' the Patriarch said.

The head of the Romanian Orthodox Church brings to mind that, over the past 1,700 years, 'the Georgian Orthodox Church has faced many trials and experienced periods of persecution, wars and suffering, but has preserved its faith and tradition.'

'Numerous saints, hierarchs, monks, nuns and faithful have defended the Christian faith with great courage. Through their Orthodox way of life and their sacrifices, they have left future generations an exceptional spiritual legacy. Looking back on this long history, we are called to thank God for the gift of faith and for all the blessings He has bestowed upon the Georgian Orthodox Church,' Patriarch Daniel said.

Patriarch Daniel also believes that 'the anniversary of the 1,700 years since Christianity became the state religion in Georgia is not merely a commemoration of the past, but also an opportunity to strengthen faith and look to the future with hope and responsibility.'

'The faith we have received from our forebears must be preserved and passed on, especially to young people and children. In today's world, the message of Christ's Gospel is more necessary than ever. Faced with the many challenges of the contemporary world, the Church is called to proclaim God's love, defend the dignity of the human person and promote peace, solidarity and respect among people and nations. On this blessed anniversary, we pray that God will bless the Georgian Orthodox Church and all its hierarchs, priests and faithful. We also pray for the peace and well-being of the Georgian people and for the strengthening of the fraternal bonds of communion between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Georgian Orthodox Church,' Patriarch Daniel added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)