Reverend Shio: We can say that the church is being verbally persecuted today, the proof of which is the constant insults and slanders that are heard in the public space

We can say that the church is being verbally persecuted today. Proof of this is the constant insults and slanders that are heard in the public space addressed to the clergy, the Patriarchal locum tenens, Reverend Shio noted during his sermon after the end of the solemn service on the occasion of St. George's Day in the Sioni Cathedral.

As he said, Christians must suppress their passions.

"When we recall the martyrdom of St. George, his life and his amazing firmness in faith, we are overcome with surprise, great awe towards him. Because no threat, no suffering, could force him to betray the faith of Christ and renounce Christ, the Church.

When we celebrate the memory of the saints in the holy church, the church advises us to imitate the life and merits of this saint. Someone may say how should we imitate the martyrs today, when the church is not physically persecuted?! The Holy Fathers teach us that even today it is possible to perform martyrdom. Christians may not be physically tortured today, but we can say that the church is being verbally persecuted today. Proof of this is the constant insults and slanders that are heard in the public space addressed to the clergy. In addition, we are tormented by our spiritual, internal passions that come from our body and our invisible enemies, demons”, said Reverend Shio.