“There is a conspiracy in the Patriarchate. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople was denied the opportunity to lead the liturgy so that the Belarusian Exarch sent by the Moscow Patriarchate could be received and placed at the service. This is the first open step by Exarch Shio Mujiri to seize the Patriarchal throne with the help of Russia,” Ugulava wrote on social media.

According to him, the public should know that a will of Ilia II exists but is not being shown, allegedly because “it is kept in 15 safes and cannot be found.”

“There is a conspiracy in the Patriarchate. The Ecumenical Patriarch was refused the liturgy so that a Belarusian Exarch from the Moscow Patriarchate could officiate. The Russian Church has broken Eucharistic communion with Constantinople after it granted autocephaly to the Ukrainian Church. Therefore, if Bartholomew serves, the Russians would not attend. Moreover, some of our hierarchs are reportedly threatening not to serve with him. So we accept the cunning move of Kirill—sending not a Russian but a Belarusian hierarch—as a favor, while refusing the Ecumenical Patriarch the opportunity to bid farewell at Sunday’s liturgy to his ‘brother in Christ and spiritual friend’? And this is explained by saying that Bartholomew would mention the head of the Ukrainian Church, His Beatitude Epiphanius, during the service?

Friends, this is the first open step by Exarch Shio Mujiri to seize the Patriarchal throne with Russian support. The public must know that last year he was practically removed by the Patriarch. It must also know that the Patriarch’s will exists and is not being shown to the public under the pretext that it is kept in 15 safes and cannot be located. The body of His Holiness has not even cooled, and they are already carrying out a special operation.

I have no illusion that we can stop or overcome this wave today. I wonder if even one honest person will be found there who will tell all this to the public, or whether the Patriarchal throne of Georgia is doomed, like Sodom and Gomorrah.

When that ‘Nineveh’ collapses, it will be interesting to see how many of you will feel shame and repentance,” Ugulava wrote.

For context, Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, passed away at the age of 93. Delegations from various countries, including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, are expected to attend the funeral on March 22. According to Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, the Ecumenical Patriarch will not lead the liturgy but will participate in the funeral service.