Information on Patriarch Patriarch’s locum tenens’ poisoning may have basis – Patriarchate’s spokesperson

Andria Jagmaidze, the Patriiarchate’s spokesperson, on Thursday said media reports on alleged poisoning of  Patriarch’s locum tenens Shio Mujiri “may have basis”.  

In his press comments, Jagmaidze said analysis had shown a higher content of heavy metals in the clergyman’s blood. 

“Reverend Shio’s condition is normal, he is working. We have to wait and see what further observation and checks will tell us”, he said, adding the version of poisoning could be valid, as well as “some, casual incident”. 

He added examinations would be conducted abroad. 

Mtavari Arkhi channel on Wednesday reported based on theologian Levan Taturashvili that the top clergyman had been poisoned with arsenic. 

“After the service at the Trinity Cathedral, he felt unwell and went to the doctors. An examination was conducted and arsenic was found in his blood. After that, the Government and the Patriarchate decided to keep the information confidential”, he claimed. 

Rustavi 2 TV channel on Thursday said “several suspicious substances” had been found in the Metropolitan’s blood, adding his condition deteriorated a week ago. 

During his St. George’s Day sermon on November 23, 2017, Patriarch Ilia II named Shio Mujiri as locum tenens.  The statute of the Georgian Orthodox Church reads the locum tenens will temporarily govern the church after the Patriarchal throne becomes vacant.