Synodal notes from Georgian Church

Patriarch Antonius II to be glorified

(patriarchate.ge) - The Chairman – Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia

The Secretary – Grigol (Berbichashvili), Metropolitan of Poti and Khobi Diocese

Sub-Secretaries – Nikoloz (Pachuashvili), Metropolitan of Akhalkalaki and Kumurdo Diocese, and Saba (Gigiberia), Metropolitan of Khoni and Samtredia Diocese

Agenda:

I. On 5th of July 2011 the Parliament of Georgia adopted a bill on changes to the Civil Code of Georgia (Attachment #1). There was expressed general discontent regarding adoption of a new law without any preliminary public discussions and consultations with the Georgian Patriarchate despite the Constitutional Agreement between the Church and the State of Georgia. The situation arose disturbance among the parish and the clergy. Considering the abovementioned, Holy Synod discussed and adopted hereby:

1. Considering the Constitution of Georgia and legal norms generally recognized by the international community, the Georgian Orthodox Church hereby declares that all people having different religious faith and residing in Georgia are equal against the law. Freedom of belief does not depend on which religious community this or that citizen belongs to. Based on the Constitution of Georgia and the Constitutional Agreement, which express the Georgian people’s will, the special legal status of the Georgian Apostolic Autocephaly Orthodox Church has not restricted freedom of other religious faith and equality against the law.

2. Address to the Georgian authorities to:

a) Considering specificity and neatness of the theme, while discussing bills and other proper legal acts on religion, have preliminary talks with the Georgian Patriarchate in order to avoid possible complications in future.

b) Launch government negotiations on status of the Georgian Patriarchate dioceses abroad and their property issues.

c) Make the state be more active regarding patronage of monuments of national and spiritual culture.

d) Recognize illegal the religious policy and all other deeds made by the state from losing state independence and autocephaly of the Church to regaining the state independence.

e) Form a commission to monitor fulfillment of the Constitutional agreement.

3. Holy Synod calls the clergy and the parish to keep peace despite the reason and avoid any willful activities but pray more for the national unity and peace.

II. Holy Synod heard a presentation about life and deeds of Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Anthon II (Bagrationi) and decided to:

Consecrate Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia Anton II to saint and call him Lamentation Martyred Anton II Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia. His Tribute Day is on 3rd of January / 21st of December (church calendar); also to write icon and proper Divine Service particles.

III. Holy Synod discussed violation of moral norms by some clergymen and decided hereby to:

Form a Commission on moral norms violation. The commission shall be comprised of Metropolitan Andrew (Gvazava) of Samtavisi and Gori Diocese, and Bishop Jacob (Yacobashvili) of Gardabani and Martkofi Diocese.