Hierarch of the Georgian Church warned against external interference in the elections of the Patriarch of Georgia

The names of three candidates for the post of Patriarch of Georgia will be announced on April 28 during the work of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The hierarchs emphasize that the process of electing a new head of state is a strictly internal matter of the Church and does not allow outside pressure.

According to Greek Orthodoxia News Agency, Metropolitan Anthony of Vani and Baghdati explained the procedure of the upcoming vote in a statement on social media. According to him, it is at the end of April that the Synod will meet to form a list of three candidates («triprosopon») who will take part in the final stage of the election.

Vladyka Antony expressed a tough stance on the independence of Church institutions. «None of us will allow external interference. And if such a thing is noticed, I promise that we will not participate in the election process! «, the hierarch emphasized. The Metropolitan added that the election of the new Patriarch is an event of exceptional importance for the whole of Georgia, and any attempts to manipulate the process by external forces will be met with a strong protest of the clergy.

Earlier we reported that the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation made a statement about the plans of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to interfere in the internal affairs of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC).