The Georgian Church has condemned the country's president for calling on schoolchildren to take part in protests

The Georgian Orthodox Church issued a statement condemning Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili for calling on schoolchildren to participate in the protests. The Georgian Patriarchate demanded that Zurabishvili and other Georgian politicians be more responsible in their political statements. The statement was published on the website of the Georgian Church.

“The sad and disturbing statement of the President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili that “after universities, it is the turn of schools to express solidarity with what is happening” is being spread on the social network ‘X’. These days, we see how events develop at protests; often the situation escalates so much that protests turn into chaotic throwing of various objects and hand-to-hand fighting. In such circumstances, it is inappropriate to make a statement designed to provoke schoolchildren and minors in general to participate, especially the president of the country, who, as a rule, should try to neutralize polarization and hatred in the nation so that current events do not harm the mental and physical health of the future generation. In addition, situations when outsiders try to go against the administrations and enter schools, disrupt the educational process and make appeals to students, which causes righteous indignation, are absolutely unacceptable and must be stopped immediately,” — the GOC statement said.

As reported, on November 30, 2024, the press service of the Georgian Orthodox Church published a statement by the Patriarchate in connection with the ongoing protests over the escalating political crisis in the country. The Church called on the government and the protesters to find understanding and reduce the level of increased aggression, recalling that both sides should be guided by Christian values.