The Georgian Orthodox Church has warned believers against participating in services led by a representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Kyiv Patriarchate

The Georgian Orthodox Church issued an official statement warning believers against participating in religious services conducted by Georgy Guliashvili. According to the Georgian Orthodox Church’s press service, this individual is posing as a cleric of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), whose activities are not recognized by the global Orthodox community.

The Georgian Patriarchate emphasized that the statement was prompted by videos on social media showing Guliashvili performing “sacred rites.” Church authorities explained that the UOC-KP is a schismatic organization that lacks canonical recognition from any of the Local Orthodox Churches. Furthermore, the Georgian Church noted that even the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) officially disavows this organization, considering its existence to be unfounded.

According to a statement from the Patriarchate, any sacraments and rites performed by Georgy Guliashvili are non-canonical and devoid of any grace-filled power. Earlier, it was reported that the so-called “patriarch” of the UOC-KP, Nikodim, announced the establishment of a “representative office” in the Georgian city of Lagodekhi and appointed Guliashvili as the rector of the local chapel following a questionable “consecration” procedure.

As a reminder, on October 10, 2026, Georgy Guliashvili was admitted to the UOC-KP, and, according to the organization’s leadership’s plan, he will head the “Kyiv Patriarchate’s” mission in Georgia. The opening of the UOC-KP’s representative office in Georgia took place by order of the organization’s head, Nikodim Kobzar.