Georgian Patriarchate rejects Russian claims of Ecumenical Patriarch interference in its matters

The Georgian Orthodox Church has dismissed Russian reports that Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I was seeking to influence its internal affairs following the death of Patriarch Ilia II.

Father Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s public relations service, told Front News on Tuesday that such interference was “completely unimaginable from any churches and impossible”.

“Such interference from another local church is unimaginable for us and we consider it completely impossible. Grounds for the information are unknown”, the cleric claimed. 

Russian intelligence claimed this week the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was attempting to strengthen his influence over the Georgian Orthodox Church and was backing two candidates for the position of Patriarch.