Patriarchate: Mr. Paata Burchuladze requested the Catholicos-Patriarch’s blessing to ring the bells of the Kashveti Church at dawn on April 9 - the Church is not and cannot be biased towards any political force

The Church is not and cannot be biased towards any political force, the Georgian Patriarchate said in a statement published on its official website.

According to the statement, singer Paata Burchuladze asked the Catholicos-Patriarch for a blessing to ring the bells of the Kashveti church at dawn in memory of the tragedy that occurred on April 9. However, he also “announces the launch of his political struggle on April 8-9, and it seems that the ringing of the bells is most likely intended for him in this context.”

“On April 6, 2018, Mr. Paata Burchuladze requested the Catholicos-Patriarch’s blessing to ring the bells of the Kashveti Church at dawn on April 9 to commemorate the souls of those who sacrificed themselves for the homeland and to commemorate the tragedy that occurred; however, according to Mr. Paata’s latest statement, he announces the launch of his political struggle on April 8-9 and makes appeals in this regard. It seems that the ringing of the bells is also considered by him in this context;

Regardless of the positions expressed by individual clergymen, in general, the Church is not and cannot be biased towards any political force. It has the duty to care for the unity of its parishioners and, within its capabilities, the country, and the right to act in accordance with divine teachings; everyone should take this into account.

Since 1989, April 9 has been a prominent day in the life of our country; in this regard, this year too, with the blessing of His Holiness and Beatitude, according to tradition, funeral services and memorial services will be held at the April 9 Memorial, as well as in the St. George Cathedral in Kashveti and other churches and monasteries in Georgia," reads the statement.