Patriarchate confirms Government’s proposal to declare Orthodoxy as state religion

Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate, on Wednesday confirmed the Georgian Dream Government had proposed declaring Orthodoxy as the state religion.

“The government seeks to further strengthen the role and status of the church, particularly in protecting values, traditions, and Christian principles. However, the wording of declaring it as the state religion is not the most crucial aspect,” Jagmaidze told the press.

In contrast, Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir criticized the proposal, calling it “a mistake” and warning that it could serve the interests of a country hostile to Georgia.

He emphasized the importance of the church’s independence from the state, especially during crises, and argued that the church should not become a state-governed institution.

In its October 26 general election messages, the GD authorities urged the public to allow it to obtain the constitutional majority – at least 113 seats in the 150-member parliament – to pass several bills and prosecute the previous ruling force, the United National Movement, for alleged crimes committed during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The party said the bills it aimed to pass in the case of securing constitutional majority included the prohibition of alleged LGBT propaganda to “protect the youth”, and claimed “a very important initiative for national interests” was being discussed.