iTV.ge | Givri Mikanadze – Consultations are ongoing with the Patriarchate on how to further reflect the role of the Georgian Church in the Georgian Constitution, but this does not mean limiting the Church’s independence in any way.

As you know, in recent years, especially state institutions and the Orthodox Church have become the target of a completely unfair and deliberate campaign, and the Church and state institutions are under attack. We have seen this many times against the Church. That is why we decided to start consultations with the Patriarchate on how to further reflect the role of the Georgian Church in the Georgian Constitution, all of which can be strengthened, but this in no way limits the Church’s independence, – the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Youth told reporters.

As he noted, consultations are ongoing and the public will be informed of what agreement will be reached.

“You remember when the Political Commission published the text, listing the main points why we asked voters for a constitutional majority, and there was a fourth point where we said that consultations are ongoing and the agreement based on them will be announced to the public later. These consultations are ongoing, although the dialogue will only be about strengthening the position of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the Constitution, with proper and full recognition of its role in Georgian history, in the Georgian people and in our existence, so I want to emphasize again that these consultations will not in any way lead, even if the decision is reconciled and adopted, to any restrictions on the independence of the Church,” Mikanadze said.

According to reports, the ruling team proposed to declare Orthodoxy as the state religion of the Patriarchate. Information about the above proposal was confirmed to the media by representatives of the Patriarchate. As Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s public relations service, said, “the government also made a similar proposal”, which he called a “courtesy”. According to Jagmaidze, at this stage, the Patriarchate is discussing in what form the above proposal should be formulated. A meeting of the head priests will be held in the Patriarchate today.