The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, congratulated the parishioners gathered in the Holy Trinity Cathedral on Christmas:
"Happy Christmas. Today the heavens and the earth rejoice; today, the heavens and the earth sing a hymn, the glory to God. This indicates that we should praise the Lord, and there will be peace and love between people. We have gone through great trouble, and there may still be one, but we must remember that the Lord is with us; the Lord protects us. There is a battle between good and evil, but good will win. Be blessed, rejoice," noted the Patriarch.