“It is not ruled out [that the Georgian Patriarchate may travel to Moscow]. Since we have such relations with the Russian state and it occupies territories [of Georgia], you therefore consider relations between the Churches impossible as well, for example. Relations continue, and they will continue. This is a fact – I do not merely consider it possible; it is a fact,” Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze said in response to a journalist’s question about whether the Georgian Patriarchate would travel to Moscow if invited.

According to him, at this stage, there has been “nothing specific” from the Moscow Patriarchate regarding an invitation to the Georgian Patriarchate.

“If by an invitation we mean that a specific date has been selected and preparations have begun for it, nothing like that has happened. However, generally, whenever any Church visits us or we visit them, there is always discussion about arranging a reciprocal visit. There has simply been nothing specific,” Andria Jaghmaidze said.

Asked whether the issue of a visit by the Georgian Patriarchate to Moscow would arise given that the Moscow Patriarchate had visited the Georgian Patriarchate, Jaghmaidze responded:

“It is not ruled out, but there is nothing specific about it at the moment,” he said.

Asked what decision Patriarch Shio III would make, the Archpriest again said that a visit to Moscow “is not ruled out.”

“It is not ruled out. You see, this is the issue: relations between Churches are very often perceived incorrectly. People view them through a lens that is used to judge them from a political perspective.

“Relations between Churches have developed over centuries and have their own foundations. So, your question stems precisely from this. Since we have such relations with the Russian state and it occupies territories [of Georgia], you therefore consider relations between the Churches impossible as well, for example.

“Relations continue, and these relations will continue. This is a fact – I do not merely consider it possible; it is a fact,” Jaghmaidze said.

Asked why the Georgian Patriarchate should travel to Moscow while Russia is waging war in Ukraine and the Russian Patriarchate supports the Kremlin’s policies, Jaghmaidze responded:

“It is understandable. Many things happen in different Churches that may be unacceptable, and we should not repeat or welcome them. However, that does not mean we should terminate relations,” he said.

According to him, there are numerous issues that the Georgian Patriarchate could discuss if it travels to Moscow.

“There are numerous issues. There is a very large Georgian population in Russia, and they are members of the Church. There are Georgian churches there. Russia recognizes the Georgian churches in Russia as part of Georgia’s heritage, and we are engaged in dialogue over the restoration of one of these churches. They themselves invited us, and our scholars will be involved in its restoration.

“The occupied territories will remain a key issue for discussion, so that Church life there can be properly organized. So there are many topics. We will discuss all issues that are in our interests,” Jaghmaidze said.

At the same time, according to the Archpriest, Patriarch Shio III spoke about the territories of Georgia occupied by Russia during the Moscow Patriarchate’s visit to the Georgian Patriarchate.

“The main issue raised by Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III during this meeting, and effectively the central theme of the discussion, was precisely the occupied territories and our displaced population, as well as the fact that the Georgian Church cannot conduct religious services there and that the population cannot even visit their ancestors’ graves on special occasions.

“From this perspective, we discussed the possibility of finding certain ways and steps so that at least some positive development could emerge here. We understand that the Church does not have the power to end the occupation or independently manage relations between states. Therefore, to a certain extent, we are hostages of these political circumstances,” Jaghmaidze said.