Patriarchate: The splashing of paint onto the icon in the Cathedral is a kind of church raid and a dangerous precedent for the incitement to similar actions

The splashing of paint onto the icon in the Cathedral is a kind of church raid and repeats the experience of the Bolshevik past. Not assessing it properly (as vandalism and disruption of worship) is a dangerous precedent for the incitement to similar actions, - reads the statement issued by the Patriarchate of Georgia.

In addition, it is mentioned in the statement that all this causes righteous indignation of the believers, however, it is important that the protest be conducted in a peaceful manner and not be transferred into a political context.

"Once again, we express our position regarding the ongoing events and emphasize that the splashing of pain onto the icon in the Church is a kind of raid on the church and repeats the experience of the Bolshevik past. Not treating it properly (as vandalism and disruption of worship) sets a dangerous precedent for inciting similar actions.

All this causes righteous indignation of the believers, however, it is important that the protest takes place in a peaceful manner and that it should not be turned into a political issue, which we are partially seeing today.

Unfortunately, we have to repeat again that the silence on the part of international and human rights organizations and representatives of the diplomatic corps calls into question their repeated statements about the need to protect Christian traditions in Georgia.

Hopefully, the law on insults on religious grounds, announced by the state, will prevent such destructions in the future. The definition of religious organization should be clear in this law. It is worth noting that the need for such a regulation was announced three years ago by the patriarchal locum tenens, reverend Shio (Mujiri) of Senaki and Chkhorotsku.

An icon containing a fragment inconsistent with the canon was placed in the temple, which was primarily the responsibility of the servants of this temple, and after discovering such a fact, it is natural that the Patriarchate took care of bringing the icon I line with the canon. This was reflected in the statement of the Patriarchate. Therefore, , the unjust attack on the service of the Patriarchate or its employee because of this decision, which we have witnessed, is a step taken directly against the Patriarchate and the opposing forces of the Patriarchate.

We also note that according to the church teaching, desecration of sanctuaries is one of the heaviest sins - blasphemy, the person who commits it is forbidden to take part in any church service until he publicly expresses his repentance," reads the statement.