Day: March 31, 2026

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople of interfering in the Georgian Orthodox Church’s internal affairs by promoting candidates for Georgian patriarch, as the country will soon have a new church leader following the death of Ilia II.

In a March 31 statement, Russia’s SVR said that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, “continues to pursue a treacherous line aimed at dividing global Orthodoxy, guided by the principle ‘divide and rule.’” The statement claims that the Ecumenical Patriarch “seeks to bring the Georgian Orthodox Church under his influence” and is “taking advantage” of the passing of Ilia II.

The statement says Patriarch Bartholomew “intends to promote to the vacant position a representative of GOC [Georgian Orthodox Church] on whom he could rely,” claiming he is considering Metropolitan Abraam (Garmelia) of Western Europe and Metropolitan Grigoli (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi. It added that “in his inner circle, he presents them as the most suitable executors of his will.”

Notably, Metropolitan Abraam (Garmelia), whom the SVR claims is one of the candidates promoted by Patriarch Bartholomew, is 77 years old – older than the 40-to-70 age limit for election. Another candidate, Metropolitan Grigoli (Berbichashvili), is 69 and will turn 70 in July.

“Within church circles, it is noted that lust for power has become the constant companion of the Constantinopolitan schismatic,” the agency further claims, adding, “Through his actions, Bartholomew once again substitutes ‘primacy of honor’ with ‘primacy of power,’ interfering in the internal affairs of yet another, notably one of the oldest, churches – the Georgian Orthodox Church.”

“Evidently, as in the cases of Ukraine, Serbia, and the Baltic countries, he has forgotten the second rule of the Second Ecumenical Council: ‘Regional bishops shall not extend their authority over Churches beyond their own territory…’” the statement concludes.

The Russian SVR’s accusations against the Ecumenical Patriarch come amid a long-standing conflict between the Orthodox Churches of Constantinople and Russia. In 2018, the Russian Orthodox Church broke off ties with Constantinople after the Ecumenical Patriarchate granted independence to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Georgia’s late Patriarch Ilia II, who had led the Georgian Orthodox Church for nearly half a century, died at the age of 93 on March 17. He was buried on March 22 following a funeral procession in Tbilisi that drew tens of thousands of people. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also in Tbilisi on that day to pay his respects and perform a funeral service for the late patriarch, whose body was in repose at Holy Trinity Cathedral for days before being transferred to Sioni Cathedral in downtown Tbilisi, where all other patriarchs of Georgia since the Church regained its autocephaly in 1917 are buried.

A Russian delegation, led by Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupieka), Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus, also attended the March 22 funeral service in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Since the passing of Ilia II, Georgia has 40 to 60 days to elect a new patriarch. During this period, Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri carries out patriarchal duties. The Holy Synod of 39 senior clergymen will elect a new patriarch, who must secure more than half of the votes. As no official candidates have been presented yet, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party and its critics are trading accusations over possible interference in the election of the leader of the institution that has enjoyed the highest public trust in an overwhelmingly Christian nation.

Also Read:

• 28/03/2026 – After Patriarch’s Funeral, Ruling Party Accuses Opponents of ‘Anti-Church Campaign’
• 23/03/2026 – Religious, Political Leaders Deliver Funeral Speeches on Ilia II at Holy Trinity Cathedral
• 22/03/2026 – Obituary | Ilia II – The Man Who Reinvented the Church
• 21/03/2026 – ‘End of Epoch’ – Georgia Mourns Patria
• International Condolences Pour In After Ilia II’s Passing