Georgian bishop slams Russian media figure over comments on King Erekle II

Bishop Giorgi Jamdeliani of the Marneuli and Hujabi Diocese has criticised Russian media figure Margarita Simonyan over remarks concerning Georgia’s historical relations with Russia.

“I want to tell this unpatriotic Simonyan -“no one has ever heard of King Erekle II kneeling before any country, including Russia,” Jamdeliani wrote on social media.

The bishop referred to the 1770 Battle of Aspindza, saying historical records show that Russian General Totleben, who had been sent to Georgia from Russia ostensibly to provide assistance, betrayed the Georgian side and instead sought to seize the capital.

“King Erekle made him pay dearly for it,” Jamdeliani wrote, referring to Totleben’s actions.

He also said people in Georgia should not be punished for responding to insults directed at their ancestors.

“I do not believe a person in Georgia should be punished for responding to insults against our ancestors,” Jamdeliani wrote.