Georgian PM: constitutional amendment will redefine role of Orthodox Church as bedrock of country’s identity

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said a new amendment would be made to the constitution, redefining the status of Orthodoxy and the role of the Orthodox Church as “the bedrock of our country’s identity”.

“Robust amendment will be included in the constitution that will redefine the status of Orthodoxy and represent the Orthodox Church as a crucial institution for our country. Specifically, there will be an amendment specifying that Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christianity, is the bedrock of our state's identity”, the PM noted.

The head of government also commented on the role of the Orthodox Church as defined in the current edition of the country's constitution.

“According to the current edition, it is stated that the Orthodox Church played a significant role in the history of Georgia. We believe that this should accurately reflect the reality in our country, not only in history but also in our present day. In contemporary times, the Orthodox Church plays a crucial role and is a cornerstone of our identity”, Kobakhidze added.

His statement came in the wake of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s, the founder and Honorary Chair of the GD party, reiteration of the party’s commitment to passing the proposed constitutional amendment, aimed at solidifying the “mission of Orthodoxy as the foundation of the uniqueness of the Georgian state”, after winning the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.

Ruling party MP Givi Mikanadze confirmed earlier this week consultations with the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church to "further promote the role” of the religious institution in the country's constitution following reports that the GD party proposed declaring Orthodoxy as the state religion.