On 12 November, the Georgian Orthodox Church refused to provide funeral services for a young man who died in a road traffic accident under the argument that he was a member of another religious organization, reported the Caucasian Knot.

According to the statement released by the “Girchi” Party, which the man was affiliated with, the Georgian patriarchy was provided with a letter stating that the deceased man's certificate was cancelled and "he was no longer considered a priest of the church."

However, priests of the Georgian Orthodox Church advised the relatives of the deceased young man to address the religious organization "Biblical Freedom" for the funeral service.

The “Girchi” party is a libertarian political party in Georgia. The Girchi party was formed in 2015 after splitting from the United National Movement (UNM). The party supports free-market macroeconomic reform, less state intrusion in individuals’ lives (including the decriminalization of marijuana), and lower taxes along with EU and NATO membership for Georgia, as well as opposing mandatory military services in the country.

Girchi made the biggest headlines in Georgia in 2017, when it formed the “Christian, Evangelical, Protestant Church of Georgia-Biblical Freedom” in order to oppose the military recruitment in the country. The creation of this church was in accordance to the Georgian law on military service, which states that priests and those studying in religious schools have the right to demand an exemption from mandatory service. It is estimated that about 20 000 young people in Georgia joined the church.