Georgian archpriest Chigladze in eparchy of Great Britain and Northern Ireland banned from priesthood

A Synodal Commission of the Georgian Patriarchate has banned archpriest Ilia (Irakli) Chighladze in the eparchy of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, from priesthood for his ‘insulting statements’ to several Georgian clerics. 

The Patriarchate’s press office says that the commission made the decision on July 30 of this year and was not released as Chigladze was given a time ‘to regret.’ 

However, the press service says that the archpriest has made even more insulting statements since then and refused to arrive in Georgia before the commission as he was summoned. 

The Patriarchate says that as of now a ban on priesthood is imposed and time is given to the archpriest for repentance, noting that the issue will be submitted to the Holy Synod for a final decision.