By Efi Efthimiou
The recent developments in the Patriarchate of Georgia are particularly serious regarding the relations of the Patriarchate with the Phanar.
In particular, Archbishop Zenon of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashiri, Great Britain and Ireland fulminated against Patriarch Ilia of Georgia and against officials of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
In a letter to the Patriarch of Georgia, dated July 13, 2020, Archbishop Zenon stressed that “the report of the representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the political mandate to the Embassy and Consulate of Georgia in Turkey that the ambassador, the consul or any representative must not attend the Divine Liturgy performed by the Ecumenical Patriarch is considered a declaration of secret war against the Ecumenical Patriarch.”
In the same letter, Archbishop Zeno wondered: “Is it reasonable for the Georgian community in Turkey to oppose the Ecumenical Patriarch? Doesn’t it hurt the Georgians in Turkey?” The Archbishop emphasized that the relations between the two churches were being destroyed.
The Archbishop’s letter was published in the Georgian media (formulanews.ge and TV Formula) as well as on social media.
On his part, the Ambassador of Georgia to Turkey, Giorgi Janjgava, published a post on Facebook in which he refuted the claims of Archbishop Zenon.
“I will have relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and His Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew,” he wrote on Facebook.