“When this particular representative of the radical opposition makes such statements concerning our Orthodox Church, it is yet further indication that this grouping, the radical opposition, the collective so-called ‘National Movement’, has no future whatsoever,” declared Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

Kobakhidze responded to a post published on social media by Gigi Ugulava, in which Ugulava wrote: “The Patriarch is dead — long live the Exarch.”

The Prime Minister made clear that any political force that sets itself against the Mother Church cannot entertain serious ambitions of political success.

“When this particular representative of the radical opposition makes such statements concerning our Orthodox Church, it is yet further confirmation that this grouping, this radical opposition, this collective ‘National Movement’, has no future. When you set yourself against everything bound up with your country’s identity, when you set yourself against your own Mother Church, you forfeit any claim to political success. This once again reveals the true character of these individuals and of this collective political force. It was not merely a handful of politicians; it was an entire political spectrum: parties, media outlets and NGOs alike. All were involved in the campaign against the Church, and it required enormous effort on our part to slow and ultimately halt it.

We had to mount a full counter-campaign, and in the end, we achieved our goal, but it was an extraordinarily difficult undertaking. Their foreign friends were directing and dictating this campaign. Parties, NGOs, and media organisations were engaged in waging this most damaging of campaigns, which we brought to a halt through our own counter-efforts. Now they are attempting to launch a fresh campaign, making statements of this kind, but this too shall come to nothing.

Our Church will remain steadfast and strong, as it has always been, and the same holds true for the Georgian state. Whatever the radical opposition may attempt, the Georgian state will stand strong in the days ahead,” Kobakhidze declared.