Georgian patriarch orders churches to comply with regulations as coronavirus spikes at record levels

Georgian health officials have requested the Georgian church, ‘as the most trusted institution’ in the country, to encourage people to receive the coronavirus vaccine. 

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili on the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Didgori where the kingdom of Georgia won over the Great Seljuq Empire stated that today Georgia has a battle with the pandemic, noting that ‘the only key to victory has been and is in our unity.’

The Georgian government has imposed coronavirus restrictions between August 14 and September 4 to curb the spread of coronavirus. The restrictions are as follows: Public transport will not work between August 14 and September 4. Intercity transport will work in a regular manner. The government promises they will ensure regular transportation of people (in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi) to main hospitals or clinics to receive the coronavirus vaccine. 

The Georgia Patriarchate says that the future decision of Patriarch Ilia II whether or not to receive the coronavirus vaccine, who is the most trusted figure in the country, ‘should not be a determiner for others.’ 

Georgia has reported 5,579 new cases of coronavirus, 1,867 recoveries and 50 deaths in the past 24 hours. In total, 52,580 tests have been conducted around the country of which 33,517 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 19,063 were PCR tests. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 477,264 cases of coronavirus, 417,013 recoveries and 6,371 deaths.

Starting today three-week coronavirus restrictions come into play in Georgia to curb the spread of coronavirus. Public transport will not work in all main cities of Georgia from today to September 4, however intercity transport will work in a regular manner.

Georgia has reported 4,314 new cases of coronavirus, 4,519 recoveries and 35 deaths in the past 24 hours. In total, 34,074 tests have been conducted around the country of which 19,813 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 14,261 were PCR tests. Since February 26, 2020 Georgia has had 481,578 cases of coronavirus, 421,532 recoveries and 6,406 deaths.

A field hospital for 500 patients will open in the Didi Digomi district of Tbilisi, where the majority of beds will be equipped with oxygen concentrators, Georgian Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze stated earlier today. 

Georgia has reported 4,743 new cases of coronavirus, 3,393 recoveries and 59 deaths in the past 24 hours. 58,995  remain infected with Covid-19 in Georgia currently.46,389 tests were conducted around the country in the past 24 hours. 29,181 of the 46,389 tests were rapid tests, while the remaining 17,208 were PCR tests. The country has had 506,040 cases of coronavirus since February 26, 2020. 

Georgian Bishop Saba (Intskirveli), who heads an eparchy in North America, has called on the public to vaccinate because 'the major contribution [one can make] to the fight against Covid-19 is to receive the vaccine.' 

Orthodox Christians in Georgia are celebrating the Day of Virgin Mary, which is otherwise known as the Dormition of the Mother of God today. In Georgia, Mary is referred to as Mariami and the holiday is known as Mariamoba.

The Georgian Patriarchate has accused three opposition-minded TV channels Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli and Formula TV of ‘insulting its institution’ and using hate speech following a recent incident in which Monk Ioane verbally harassed a Formula TV journalist. 

Senior Georgian priest Ilia (Irakli) Chigladze in the eparchy of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been dismissed from the priesthood following his criticism of the Georgian Patriarchate, the press service of the Patriarchate reported earlier today.