The Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia, Ilia II, has extended his condolences to the family and relatives of those who perished in the tragic fire in the village of Saberio, Gali district, in occupied Abkhazia.

“We express our deepest condolences for the tragedy in your family in the village of Saberio, a sorrow that has touched the entire nation of Georgia. Saying farewell to 5 children at once is an unbearable and profound grief, yet we must draw strength from the belief that death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life, for which we all must prepare. This separation, though painful, is only temporary.

We offer our prayers for the immortal souls of Emilia, Anna-Maria, Elena, Nia, and Sofia, and ask the Lord to grant you solace and the strength to endure this pain with faith”, - reads the statement of Patriarch.

On December 5, the fire tragically claimed the lives of 5 kids in Saberio.