“Georgian church always stands with the Georgian people. This is the symbiosis of the nation and ecclesiastic that preconditions our country’s progress,” said Georgian Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili. 

According to the Speaker, the opposition and some NGOs demonstrate hatred towards the Georgian church. 

‘We saw all masks off under the background of the Patriarchate’s statement. This is a beneficial process because it represents full lustration. This is a group of people full of hatred towards Georgian people and the church. We saw hostile remarks by some NGOs and the opposition on this statement. This is a hostile attitude towards the institution, which is part of the Georgian identity. 

Therefore, in this triad, they want to change their faith and replace them with values. in fact, this is the opposition, some NGO groups who have no values trying to replace Georgian values with fictitious values. That is why it is important for everyone to see on April 29 where the nation, church, and Georgia stand, and what is our belief in our motherland, language and faith. This will be the day to demonstrate where the Georgian people are and where the opposition, NGO groups are, who serve their foreign patrons instead of Georgian people,” he said. 

“The line of conflict in society passes on the field of fight against values and state sovereignty. Our country’s progress should be based on the words of Ilia the Righteous (Ilia Chavchavadze) ‘Motherland, Language, Faith,’” said the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) in its statement.