Ruling Party Secretary: Declaring Orthodoxy as state religion to benefit other faiths too

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, stated on Tuesday that the constitutional recognition of Orthodoxy as the state religion would not only strengthen the Church’s role but also benefit other faiths in the country.

Mdinaradze addressed the ruling party’s recent initiative, noting that the proposed constitutional reference to Orthodox Christianity is intended to bolster the Church’s significance in both historical and contemporary contexts.

“Such constitutional acknowledgment will provide legitimacy to the initiative, garner broad public support, and enhance the stability of the Church’s role in society,” Mdinaradze said, dismissing concerns that other religious groups in Georgia might face challenges as a result.

The GD Executive Secretary argued that recognizing Orthodoxy’s role in the constitution would contribute to a stronger, more unified national identity—one that includes and honors the contributions of all traditional religions. He emphasized that religious tolerance has always been a cornerstone of Georgia’s national identity and that this new initiative would only reinforce that tradition.

“The other traditional religious groups also play a role in strengthening national identity. With great respect for everyone, their roles must also be clearly acknowledged and defined,” Mdinaradze added.