Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill congratulated the de-facto-elected separatist President of Tskhinvali region Alan Gagloev on his victory in the elections. ⠀

“Possessing significant administrative experience and a strategic vision of the priority tasks of state building and ensuring the security of the country, you have been working for the benefit of your compatriots for many years. With your election as the head of the republic, thousands of people pin their hopes for positive changes in the social and economic sphere of South Ossetia, for the dynamic development and prosperity of the region,” the congratulatory message published on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate said. The Patriarch is convinced that "the good cooperation of religious communities with authorities and all well-intentioned forces can make an important contribution to the establishment of enduring moral ideals, the preservation of the people and the preservation of national culture."

The Patriarchate of Georgia expressed its regret over the fact that Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a congratulatory letter to the de-facto-elected separatist President of Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloev. “The letter of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia gives rise to misunderstanding since the Russian Church recognises the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church on the territory of the so-called South Ossetia. The Georgian Church, the Georgian state and the international community also recognize the internationally recognised borders of Georgia,” the Patriarchate of Georgia said in a statement. The GOC stated that such actions negatively affect the relations of local Orthodox churches. “It is very unfortunate that today, when every effort is being made to strengthen relations between the Orthodox Churches, such steps are being taken that negatively affect the current situation and complicate it,” the statement said.