Georgian Patriarchate redefines its position towards coronavirus vaccination

The Georgian Patriarchate has reiterated that it will neither encourage the people to receive the coronavirus vaccines, nor prohibit them from getting the shot. 

The Patriarchate says that they will not support mandatory vaccination. 

It said that the clergy has no right to ban believers from receiving communion or participation in other religious rituals only because they got the coronavirus shot. 

“We once again appeal to the clergy to ensure that their actions regarding vaccination do not go beyond the decision of the Synod,” said the Patriarchate, noting that the parish is able to address the patriarchate if they notice some biased attitudes. 

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated several times that vaccination will not become mandatory in the country. 

However, he said that the process should be encouraged to defeat the virus. 

President Salome Zurabishvili, however, called on the church to urge people to receive the vaccine to save lives. 

Coronavirus cases continue to surge in Georgia with daily deaths hitting around 60-70. 

994,285 individuals in the 3.7 million nation have been fully vaccinated so far.