Georgian priests prohibited from joining political rallies
TBILISI. July 6 (Interfax) - The Holy Synod of the Georgian Orthodox Church has prohibited priests from engaging in politics.
Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia told the Synod that the Church has always been the unifying factor in Georgia, therefore "priests' participation in political actions is impermissible," Metropolitan Andria of Gori and Samtavisi told the press on Friday.
"The church is all-embracing and it can unite members of different political parties. It is our duty to unite the country. Therefore, priests' participation in actions is impermissible," Metropolitan Andria quoted Ilia II as saying.
The Georgian patriarch did not quote any facts, but videos were demonstrated showing priests among participants in actions, held recently by the Georgian Dream opposition coalition.
