Friday, August 10- August 24, 2007, #152 (1419)

On which side will the Church stand?

The Georgian Orthodox Church has not meddled in domestic politics since the Soviet Union collapsed.

The Gamsakhurdia, Shevardnadze and Saakashvili regimes all pledged loyalty to the Georgian Orthodox Church, and vice-versa. Under Shevardnadze's rule a concordat was signed between the state and the Church, recognizing the special role of the Church in Georgia.

Following the Rose Revolution relations between Church and state seem-at least on the surface-to remain unchanged.

Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II always attends state events and participates in official ceremonies; President Saakashvili, Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze and other key government officials never miss religious celebrations.

But there is certainly "something in the air" that seems to suggest an uncomfortable sense of unease between the Church and the government administration.

The ruling administration is diverse. Among it are serious influential groups associated with the Liberty Institute and other Western-oriented and financed NGOs.

After coming to power these figures, both openly and secretly, began chipping away at the Church's influence in the country.

First was the statement that a concordat was against the notion of equality among all churches. Then the notion that Orthodoxy is not compatible with democracy. Also voiced was the idea that the church should be completely separated from the school system. Accusations abounded that the Orthodox Church was pro-Russian.

This rhetoric, along with practical measures regarding the education system, has irritated the Church.

There is a suspicion among Georgians that criticism directed at the Church is not just the eccentric behavior of certain political leaders of the current administration, but rather a planned policy initiated by the West.

Political analyst Ramaz Klimiashvili quotes Bzezhinski, who said that Orthodoxy is a major obstacle of democracy. Klimiashvili cites three Orthodox countries where Western democracy was implemented forcefully: Serbia, which was bombed by NATO, plus Georgia and Ukraine, where revolutions, although bloodless, nevertheless happened.

Let's leave the international approach and come down to domestic problems. This way or that, pressure on the Church is here. On the other hand, Orthodoxy has been traditionally extremely influential in Georgia. In fact, through its religion, Georgia has kept its national identity, language and perhaps even its territory.

Maybe somebody in the ruling administration is intimidated by the influence Orthodoxy has in Georgia. The political opposition, on the other hand, wants to promote this type of "confrontation" for its own ends.

Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, leader of the Tavisupleba (Freedom) movement and son of former president Zviad Gamsakhurdia, stated that the next president of Georgia will be whichever candidate is supported by the Georgian Church.

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II tries to stay above political intrigue. However, clergy are more and more actively confronting state authorities. The newspaper Alia reports that priests preach to their parishes not to support the ruling party in the forthcoming elections.

There was one incident between believers and the state which extremely aggravated the situation, and caused a serious confrontation between the state and Church. This was when the state began to demolish the church atop Peria Mountain in Adjara.

All of Georgia was indignant, so the officials who had sent bulldozers to demolish the church had to retreat and blame the leader of the local government, although he obviously wouldn't have made this move without instructions from above. So, the administration gave it up and the church still stands.

The Orthodox factor is exercised by Russia as well. During the highest tensions between Georgia and Russia, Moscow officials highlight the Orthodox connections of the two nations and exercise extremely deep respect towards Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II.

In the current situation the state would be making a big mistake by continuing to pressure the Chuch. Orthodoxy preserves Georgia's national identity.

That, anyway, is the deeply-held belief of most Georgians. Even during the communist regime, which was aggressively atheist, Georgians remained devoted to the Church. Even communist leaders baptized their children secretly. Better not to touch it.

Maybe Saakashvili realizes this and under the background of the forthcoming elections will decide to distance himself from the anti-Orthodox factions. There are reshuffles expected in the top level and Saakashvili, as well as opposition leaders, will try to use this very influential argument in their favor.



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