On February 6, a solemn service was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi in honor of the feast day of Saint David IV the Restorer, also known as David the Builder. The Divine Liturgy was led by the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne, Metropolitan Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku. Clergy and believers prayed for the well-being of Georgia and its people.

According to the press service of the Georgian Patriarchate, with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, services and various events will be held throughout the year to mark the 900th anniversary of Saint David’s passing.

Saint David IV (1089–1125) is a central figure in Georgian history. Under his reign, Georgia experienced a golden age, uniting into a powerful centralized state while the Georgian Orthodox Church received strong support. He was a remarkable ruler, reformer, and patron of learning, founding the Gelati and Ikalto academies, which made Georgia a center of theology and scholarship in its time.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Shio emphasized that Saint David was not only a great ruler but also a deeply devout Christian, whose faith in Christ and commitment to God’s will guided all his decisions. Strengthening the Church and developing spiritual education were central to his rule. The archbishop highlighted that such examples of sacrifice, wisdom, and piety form the spiritual foundation of a nation.

Special attention was given to the Penitential Canon, a spiritual hymn written by Saint David himself, in which he expresses profound faith, humility, and devotion to God. His words remain relevant today, reminding believers of the need for spiritual renewal and unity in the face of modern challenges.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Shio conveyed the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II to the congregation and urged prayers for Georgia’s prosperity and the preservation of its spiritual values.

The feast day of Saint David the Builder is an important ecclesiastical and national event in Georgia, uniting the people around their spiritual and historical traditions.