Synod of the Georgian Church speaks out against Ukrainian autocephaly

The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church

The session of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church was held under the chairmanship of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on June 21, reports "Sedmitsa".

During the meeting, the Holy Synod considered the possibility of granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Members of the Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church were read three messages on the situation in Ukraine: from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine.

A metropolitan of the Georgian Patriarchate, on condition of anonymity, reported that Patriarch Ilia II expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Ukrainian question: "His Beatitude does not agree with the initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Ukraine and accepts as legitimate exclusively the Church under the leadership of Metropolitan Onuphry," said the Georgian hierarch.

Reportedly, contrary to the position of the Patriarch and the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Peter (Tsaava) supported the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his statements to the Georgian media he justified his opinion by the fact that 40 million people in the country should have an independent Church.

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