By decision of His Holiness, Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Archimandrite Ilia Toloraia has been prohibited from performing priestly duties.

According to a statement released by the Patriarchate, the decision was made in response to “verbal insults against a bishop and slanderous statements toward the hierarchs of the Church.”

“The Holy Trinity Patriarchal Lavra hereby prohibits Archimandrite Ilia (Toloraia), a priest of the Lavra, from performing priestly duties based on the recommendation of the diocesan commission, due to verbal insults against a bishop and, more generally, slanderous statements toward Church hierarchs, until he shows sincere repentance,” the statement reads. The announcement is signed by His Holiness, the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia.

For context, Archimandrite Ilia Toloraia was summoned to the Patriarchate today, where the Church hierarchs requested that he repent. After leaving the Patriarchate, the archimandrite stated that he does not intend to repent and is requesting a meeting with the Patriarch.