Recently, the company has spread a rumor that the opinion of the Holy Synod’s members on recently adopted law on religion was divided and therefore the Church conceded. That it is not true.

In connection with this law, the Holy Synod unanimously expressed their negative opinion, and this time the Synod has chosen a direction which provides the creation of protective mechanisms by the government. This solution was fixed in the decree of the Synod, which is also the result of the general consent of the Synod. Spreading rumors about voting procedures are on to another topic.

The church is doing what in the present situation would protect religious rights, the rights of our people.

Now turn to the government.

Based on the circulation of the Holy Synod, we expect significant positive steps. We already held the first preparatory meeting with government representatives. We hope that the next meeting will be held in the nearest future and be productive. For our part, we will promptly brief the public about the ongoing processes.

Thus, the protection position of our church continues, and we will always do so in the future. At the same time, this means the protection of the interests of our country, because the Orthodox faith has created and maintained the unified Georgian Christian state, determined the uniqueness of Georgian culture and the type of lifestyle and mentality of the Georgian people, their friendly and neighborly attitude towards representatives of other religions on the basis of mutual respect.

Protecting the interests of our country assumes the protection of other religions rights, which we have always supported and always recorded in our statements, but this should not come at the expense and discrimination of the rights of the vast majority of our country’s inhabitants - Orthodox Christians.

24.07.2011.