Media: Georgia considering making Orthodoxy the state religion
The ruling party of Georgia plans to declare Orthodoxy the state religion, despite objections from Patriarch Ilia II.
The ruling Georgian Dream party is considering the possibility of declaring Orthodoxy the state religion. This initiative, attributed to the party's founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, has already been presented to the Georgian Patriarchate, and relevant meetings are currently taking place, reports TV Formula, citing multiple sources.
On August 21, Ivanishvili spoke in Mtskheta, where Georgian Dream began its election campaign. In his speech, he touched on issues of national identity and hinted at upcoming constitutional amendments, including the potential declaration of Orthodoxy as the state religion. "Consultations are still ongoing," Ivanishvili noted, adding that this could be a significant step in protecting Georgia's national values.
On August 26, one of the meetings was held at the Georgian Patriarchate, attended by high-ranking hierarchs and representatives of the Patriarchate. However, the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II opposed this initiative, believing that it is unnecessary and that the country has not yet reached the appropriate historical moment for such a step.
"The Patriarch has previously opposed the declaration of a state religion, which is why a constitutional agreement was developed and the church's status was determined," said the Patriarchate's press liaison, Father Longinoz Suarishvili. He added that the proposal may have been made unofficially, but not at an official level. "I am confident that the Patriarchate will maintain its previous position," Suarishvili emphasized.
Metropolitan of the Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese, Archbishop Nikoloz Pachuashvili, also expressed concern: "Declaring a state religion means that the church will not be independent of the state, and the state will not be independent of the church. I believe that this is unnecessary, and it will not lead to anything good," noted Metropolitan Nikoloz.
Amid these statements, an official comment from the authorities has not yet been released.
As previously reported, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that the law on foreign agents, which the opposition protests against, is needed to protect the Church and national identity.
