Georgia Patriarch Calls For Calm After Orthodox Groups Thwart Gay Rights Rally

18/5/13 ( Civil.Ge ) — The head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Ilia II, has called for calm after violence that erupted after aggressive anti-gay protesters, led by Orthodox clergy, thwarted a rally by a small group of gay rights activists to mark the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17. “We distance from violence,” Patriarch Ilia II said in a televised remarks on Friday evening. But referring to gay rights rally, he said: “It’s something that should not be propagandized.” “We should know that this is a sin before the god.