Georgian Patriarch Shio III has blessed more than 3,500 secondary school graduates preparing to take university entrance examinations, encouraging them to pursue academic success while remaining rooted in Christian faith and spiritual values.

The blessing took place following the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi on June 28, according to the Georgian Orthodox Church. After the service, Patriarch Shio addressed the congregation and offered a special greeting to thousands of prospective university students who had gathered to receive his blessing before the start of the national examination period.

"Knowledge is a great treasure that elevates a person and helps them move forward on life's journey," the patriarch said.

He stressed, however, that education should always be accompanied by faith, humility, love for one's neighbor, and the desire to live according to God's will.

According to Patriarch Shio, the combination of learning and spiritual values provides the foundation for success not only in earthly life but also, in Christian teaching, in eternal life. He recalled Christ's words in the Gospel that believers should "seek first the Kingdom of God," trusting that everything necessary for life will be provided.

In his sermon, the patriarch also spoke about the power of prayer, saying Christians are called to pray for one another and that sincere prayer transcends both time and distance. He encouraged the faithful to approach God with unwavering faith, humility, and love.

Patriarch Shio also highlighted the symbolic significance of the current year for Georgia. In 2026, the country is marking the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity's proclamation as the state religion. To commemorate the anniversary, he presented each of the university applicants attending the service with a commemorative cross specially produced for the jubilee.

Concluding the service, the patriarch offered a final blessing to the young people, wishing them success in their entrance examinations and admission to the universities of their choice.