PM Gakharia Meets with Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has arrived at the Patriarchate of Georgia to meet with Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II. 

The PM's meeting with His Holiness is related to yesterday's meeting of the Holy Synod, which ended with scandalous results. In particular, the Metropolitan of Chkondidi, Petre Tsaava, being fired from the position of Bishop by the Synod because he submitted incriminating evidence against Patriarch Ilia II.

The former Metropolitan of Chkondidi made a statement after leaving the meeting held at the Patriarchate, noting that it was "an unfair decision." 

Reverend Grigol (Katsia) has been appointed as the new Metropolitan of the Chkondidi Eparchy, replacing Petre Tsaava at the post.

On October 31, the Georgian PM, who was paying an official visit to Turkey, released a special statement regarding the sitting of the Holy Synod, saying that "such unbelievable criticism of the Patriarch, who is the spiritual symbol of Georgia, represents an attack against the country, our statehood and church."

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Holy Synod Dismisses Metropolitan of Chkondidi from Position of Bishop