Georgian Dream Set to Declare Orthodox Christianity as State Religion

The Georgian Dream party is preparing to declare Orthodox Christianity as the state religion, as reported by the Formula TV channel.

According to the channel, this is a 'covert initiative in the field of protecting traditional values,' which the ruling party promises to officially announce within a month. The initiative belongs to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream and an oligarch, noted Formula.

The TV channel also added that the Patriarchate has not yet given its unequivocal consent at this stage. Formula claims that a meeting regarding this issue was held in the Patriarchate on August 26, but no decision was made, as Ilia II believes that now is not the right time, stating that 'the necessary historical context has not been established.'

According to anonymous sources, the Patriarchate is concerned that declaring Orthodox Christianity as the state religion could result in the church losing its independence, including its financial and property rights.