Georgian Patriarchate Says It Never Restricted Georgians Fighting in Ukraine

The Georgian Patriarchate has rejected claims that the Church imposed restrictions on Georgian citizens fighting in Ukraine, stating that no such policy has ever existed.

The statement was made by Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s Public Relations Service, who dismissed recent allegations as false.

“The truth will come to light and expose those who tried to exploit this tragic, painful, and sensitive situation to discredit the Church. The Church has never established any restrictive rules for people fighting in Ukraine, and everyone knows this,” Jagmaidze said.

The controversy follows the death of a young woman in Zugdidi on July 30. The exact cause of her death has not yet been determined.

On August 3, the woman’s father, Zaal Lataria, who is currently fighting in Ukraine, claimed in a social media post that he had been denied permission to have his deceased daughter laid in a church before her funeral. According to Lataria, the decision was made by Bishop Gerasime of Zugdidi and Tsaishi.

The allegation sparked widespread public reaction and criticism, prompting the Patriarchate to issue its response denying that the Georgian Orthodox Church has ever imposed restrictions on individuals fighting in Ukraine.