The Georgian Patriarch has wisdom to make a wise decision about autocephaly of the Ukrainian church – French Mitropolitan Emmanuel, a representative of Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople stated after the meeting with Caholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II.

According to Mitropolitan Emmanuel, this was a ‘friendly meeting between friend churches.’ As for autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church, Mitropolitan Emmanuel said that the purpose of the meeting was not making pressure or suggestions. He added that the meeting was informative and talks focused about various common issues concerning the Orthodox Churches.

The delegation of Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is visiting Georgia. The delegation members headed by French Mitropolitan Emmanuel met with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II earlier this afternoon.

“The initiator of the visit was Constantinople. I do not think that the visit may change the standpoint of the Georgian church. The details about the issue of the Ukrainian Church are being verified. Some church persons may change their viewpoints as time passes and more information becomes known,” Father Andria Jaghmaidze, Head of Press Center of the Georgian Patriarchate said.

Jaghmaidze said that the meeting would not be decisive to influence the decision of the Holy Synod and summoning of the extraordinary sitting of the Synod was not likely.