Faithful to Gather in Churches on Tuesday, Honoring the Dead

The Metropolitan of Kutaisi Church, Ioane Gamrekeli, today announced gatherings at churches on April 21 to pay tribute to the dead. 

He also expressed his hope that the government will allow people to visit the graves on the same day.

“The government has imposed certain restrictions to protect us amid the crisis. But as the regulations are set to last until Tuesday, we shall gather at the churches to honor our dead, to remember our ancestors. I don’t think the government will stop us from visiting the graves on that day”, he said.

The metropolitan’s address comes amid the escalating controversy in Georgia concerning the joint decision of the patriarchate and the government to keep churches open for Easter ceremonies, at a time when the country has virtually shut down to defeat a contagious disease.

Parishioners of the Georgian Orthodox Church were allowed to attend dusk-to-down Easter Vigil in the churches, albeit with some restrictions.

The Georgian government has imposed restrictions on visiting cemeteries until April 27.

As of today, Georgia has confirmed 394 cases of the coronavirus, with 4 deaths and 86 recoveries.

By Elene Dzebisashvili