According to the Patriarchate’s Head of the Public Relations Service, Andria Jaghmaidze, the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) took the decision to impose restrictions on mass media representatives, including the need for accreditation during large-scale events. He stated that a separate area will be set aside for the media to guarantee the calm conduct of religious services.

According to Jaghmaidze, incidents of the media insulting and slandering clerics have grown common. This occurred on October 14, the Svetitskhovloba celebration, when a journalist referred to the clergy as bandits. The media barges into church courtyards and storm doors to conduct interviews.

“The property right allows the Georgian Orthodox Church to establish behavioural guidelines within its territory. The GOC acts within the framework of Georgian legislation, which it uses to notify the public and the media about restrictions in advance.

Every regulation will strive to ensure that church services are carried out properly. Aside from the fact that it is required by temple bylaws for a journalist to occupy a spot assigned for the media, the Patriarchate reserves the right to restrict attendance in particular circumstances,” Andria Jaghmaidze added.