Georgian Patriarchate: Russian Patriarch's congratulations on election win of de facto President of occupied Tskhinvali region “raise misunderstandings"

The Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church on Monday responded to the message of the Russian Patriarch’s message of congratulation to the de facto President of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region on his election win by saying the development “raises misunderstandings”.

The Church authority said the letter was “incomprehensible” as the Russian Orthodox Church recognised the jurisdiction of its Georgian counterpart over the territory of the occupied region.

The mentioned [congratulation] by the Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia raises misunderstandings, because the Russian Church recognises the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church on the territory of the so-called South Ossetia,” the statement said.

It also noted the recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity by the international community, adding the “administrations operating in the occupied territories” were considered “an occupation regime”.

In its comments, the Patriarchate also said it was "unfortunate" to see efforts to “strengthen relations” between Orthodox Church institutions “complicated” by the message of the Russian Church leader.

Alan Gagloyev, chair of the opposition Nykhas party and former intelligence officer was elected the de facto President of the occupied Tskhinvali region on April 10, 2022.