We don't like many things, but we don't raise our voices because there are many people on the side of the protest, whom we respect and who are dear to us. The Church has always tried to be a platform for both sides to talk - don't constantly ask us to take a side in political debates, otherwise we assure you that you will lose, - the head of public relations of the Patriarchate, archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, told journalists.

As for those detained at the protests and the events that have developed during the past year in general, as Andria Jagmaidze noted, the Church has not been silent and has made a number of statements calling for peace.

"Probably, for the last 10-15 years NGOs, the opposition, etc. have constantly asked us, the Church, not to make political assessments before the elections, because the Church has great influence, and not to become a party, saying that we are building a secular state and the Church should not influence society. Recently, the Patriarchate has been making statements and calling on clergy that such statements, which cause polarization in society, should not be made by clergy. In this case, when we do not make assessments, we are not doing so because we intend enmity with someone, but because we do not agree with many assessments made by some politicians. We do not agree, for example, with the conclusion that the elections were rigged. The Patriarch congratulated the Georgian Dream on the elections, and he took part in this. What should we do?! The Church is not silent, the Church made many statements in those days, look at our page on the Internet and you will see that it made many statements calling for peace. That whole night, our service, the clergy were praying all night in the Kashveti church and helping people affected by gas and water. Everyone forgot about this. Where was Dorothe then? Where was Dorothe when the Patriarch was being cursed in 2017-2019, when the Patriarchate and the Patriarch's position needed to be defended the most. We do not remember his speech or statement supporting the Patriarch. Now, when the Patriarch no longer needs protection, now he remembered those protesters. Where was he then, when we were standing there near Kashveti and helping these people? You should not constantly ask us to take a side in political debates, otherwise I assure you that you will lose. We don't like many things, but we don't raise our voices because there are many people on the side of the protest, whom we respect and who are dear to us. The Church has always tried to be a platform for both sides to talk. Here's what Dorothe did - the people who listen to Dorothe got the impression that the Church is their enemy, but in reality, this is not the case," said Andria Jagmaidze.