Tbilisi, September 13, 2019
sputnik-georgia.ru “Various powers are trying to gain influence and to advance their ideology, but the people are waiting for positive changes,” Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia wrote in his congratulatory letter to Giorgi Gakharia, the newly elected Prime Minster of the country, which has experienced mass protests and occasional bouts of civil unrest lately.
On behalf of the Orthodox Church, and personally with all my heart, I congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister. This is a position of great honor, which at the same time holds great responsibility.
After gaining independence, the intense political processes in our country have not subsided; this is understandable, as different forces seek to gain influence and promote their ideology, but the people are waiting for positive changes. Unfortunately, throughout these times, it was not possible to solve the urgent issues of the population, improve the social situation, promote national values, unite the nation, and restore the territorial integrity of the country.
We hope that in our difficult time, your efforts, and those of the government of Georgia will be directed towards overcoming these important problems. May the Lord help you in all your divine deeds,
Patriarch Ilia said in his letter, as reported by the Orthodoxia News Agency.
Earlier, OrthoChristian published an article in which an American official during a trip to Georgia expressed his opinion that the Georgian Church should not look to the Russian Orthodox Church for support, but instead, it is better to align with the United States.
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell, while on a visit to Tbilisi said: “Today our efforts are mainly directed to the cities of Georgia. But there are a lot of people in the country who do not use social media. The Orthodox Church for them is an indirect conductor of Russia’s influence. We must do more to explain to these people: the West is not indifferent to the traditions and beliefs of Georgian society. In the long run, it is necessary to win over Russia. We have a lot to do, but it is clear that the Georgian people have chosen the Western future, and they need help.”
These words echoed similar statements made more recently by a U.S. General in Kosovo, that he was concerned the Serbian Orthodox Church is an obstacle for the USA. The former Commander of U.S. Army Europe, General Ben Hodges, alleged in an article that “Moscow” is “applying pressure through the [Orthodox] clergy” in Serbia.
Matfey Shaheen
