Patriarchate: Traffic Ban Does Not Apply to Clergy, Church Personnel
The Georgian Patriarchate released a statement today, saying that the newly imposed ban on transportation with private vehicles will not apply to clergy and church personnel.
"Clergymen, choir members and altar servers will be able to drive in order to participate both in today's and all Easter services," reads the statement.
The statement further notes that the government’s decision to completely ban traffic throughout the country until April 21 was not agreed with the Patriarchate and it caused ‘big dissatisfaction among both clergy and believers’.
"On the evening of April 16, the government administration announced a nationwide ban on cars and other private vehicles starting from today, 12 PM, until April 21. This decision caused great dissatisfaction among the population and, of course, among the clergy and believers.
"The ban was not agreed with the Georgian Patriarchate. As was made clear during a phone conversation later, clergymen, choir members and altar servers will be able to drive to participate in today's and all Easter services,” Church representatives said in a statement.
As a part of the State of Emergency, the Georgian government announced last night that it would be completely forbidden to drive a car in the country from 12:00 PM of April 17 to 21 April.
The new restriction has already entered into force.
By Ana Dumbadze