“A passage will appear in the Constitution, which will newly define the status of Orthodoxy and this will highlight the Orthodox Church as the most significant institution for our country,” Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters in Ozurgeti town of the western Guria region.

According to the PM, the passage in the Constitution will define Orthodoxy as a pillar of the Georgian state’s identity. Another passage will clearly specify the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC).

“Based on the current edition, the Orthodox Church played an important role in Georgia’s history but we believe that it should reflect the reality which is in our country, in history and today – Orthodox Church plays a significant role and represents a pillar of our identity.

This significant amendment will be made in the Constitution and we would like to once again express gratitude to our church and representatives of the Patriarchate, the clergy for an interesting and prolific discussion over this issue,” the PM said.

On August 28, Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of the Public Relations Department at the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) said the government proposed the possible declaration of Orthodoxy as the state religion, however, the exact formulation was not finalized and considering the issue by the GOC would take time.