Archimandrite claims political motives behind ban from Patriarchate

Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili has alleged that a decision to prevent him from entering the Patriarchate was politically motivated and linked to Deacon Andria Jagmaidze, the head of the Church’s public relations department.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the cleric claimed that Jagmaidze “already controls archimandrites here and everyone,” and therefore influenced the commission’s decision.

“They told us the commission decided not to allow me inside. The commission has nothing to do with this. This appears to be Deacon Andria Jagmaidze’s policy. He has no right to block my entry to see my spiritual child,” he said.

Kurashvili insisted that Archimandrite Ilia Toloraia - who was summoned to the Patriarchate following his public remarks - “is not guilty.” According to him, Toloraia merely repeated what he himself had stated earlier.

“I said Archbishop Shio was sent from Russia and serves Russian interests - and he repeated my words. He said nothing new,” he noted, adding that any responsibility lied with him, not Toloraia.