Georgian President hopes Church will elect "pro-European" Patriarch
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili. Photo: gettyimages.com
Georgian head of state Salome Zourabichvili said on her official visit to London that the situation with the Church of Georgia is "very difficult" due to the "weakness" of 91-year-old Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II, Sova News reports.
Zourabishvili also expressed hope that in the future the Georgian Church will "follow the pro-Western rhetoric" and "will be able to elect a pro-Georgian and pro-European Patriarch, not a pro-Russian Patriarch".
"I think that the Orthodox Church here, as in any other Orthodox country, is very close to the government, tends to follow the changes of accents and nuances," she said.
Zourabishvili's statement has already been commented on by the pro-government Georgian Dream party. Its leader, former Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, said that the President's remarks are a direct attack on the Patriarch and the Church and that Zourabishvili herself is "a big anti-Georgian phenomenon".
"I think this speaks very well of Salome Zourabishvili herself. The mask she has worn throughout this period has been torn off," he said.
As reported, the Georgian Patriarch supported the country's steps to join the EU.
Read also
UOC's Social Department reports on aid provided during 1000 days of war
Millions of hryvnias in financial aid and hundreds of tons of humanitarian assistance were provided during this period.
On 1000th day of war, UOC opens exhibition dedicated to Church's mission
Before the exhibition's opening, a memorial service was held for those who perished and died during the war, as well as a prayer service for AFU soldiers and for Ukraine.
Zelensky on the Church: The era of those who sanctify terror is over
The President stated that in Ukraine, there is dialogue between the state and all religious communities.
Satanic show to be held in Prague as a counter to St. Nicholas feast
Terrifying creatures will scare children instead of giving them gifts.
Papal Nuncio in Kyiv: War is from the devil, it makes no sense
Visvaldas Kulbokas believes the Church's mission is to call for the urgent need to end the war.