On 2 April, the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II stated that the Georgian Orthodox church would continue to operate despite the declared state of emergency in the country, reported georgiatoday.
“Spiritual nourishment is just as important and necessary for believers as food. Therefore, it is not possible to close the doors of the Church and it will be open to those who wish to come and receive spiritual strength,” he said. He noted that worship services are an integral part of priesthood duties and are of paramount importance to the entire nation.
The Georgian Patriarch still called the citizens to adhere to the rules set up by the government and stated that the church will function in a slightly different manner. “Given the current situation, I would like to address you, our spiritual children, and give you the following advice: follow the appropriate instructions; observe the established distance while near to other people, including in the temple or the yard of the temple; during the divine liturgy and other services, only clergymen should remain in the church, while a limited number of parishioners are allowed to join them in large cathedrals, though it is generally recommended that parishioners remain in the yard of the church. Some believers who are at risk due to age or weaknesses, as well as those who are particularly cautious about contracting the virus, should stay at home,” he added.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that two clergymen of the Georgian Orthodox church in New York have been tested positive for the virus.
Two weeks earlier, on 17 March, the issue of the use of shared spoons to distribute wine among worshippers during the rite of Holy Communion emerged between the Georgian government and the Church. The Church officials insisted that sacramental wine and bread, being holy, cannot transmit diseases.
Hierarchs across the Eastern Orthodox world initially resisted the recommendation to switch to single use spoons but began adapting as the pandemic spread. In Georgia, though, the church held its position firm.
Almost 4,000 people signed a petition within days to the government to enforce pandemic-conscious religious practices and to revoke a constitutional agreement that bestows special powers and privileges on the church. The authorities instead tried to reach a compromise through carefully worded public statements and behind-doors negotiations with the Patriarchate. The church did agree with some of the official health recommendations and urged the faithful not to crowd inside church buildings and asked the sick to stay home, but in other aspects the Church still exercised its autonomous rights.
The current tally of infected persons in Georgia is 130, with no reported deaths.
