Georgian Speaker meets with Bartholomew I
David Bakradze
12/2/2010
David Bakradze, within the scope of the visit to the Republic of Turkey, along with the Parliamentary Delegation, met with the World Patriarch.
Speaker of Georgian Parliament David Bakradze, within the scope of the visit to the Republic of Turkey, along with the Parliamentary Delegation, met with the World Patriarch, His Holiness, Bartholomew I.
At the meeting, the World Patriarch emphasized the special authority of the Leader of Georgian Orthodox Church, His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholic-Patriarch, Ilia II and expressed interest in his health condition. The World Patriarch noted that the whole orthodox world raises prayers for him.
Bartholomew I spoke of close, friendly relations between the churches, that the church shall always be the guarantee for peace. According to the statement of the World Patriarch, position of Russian Church is evident and acceptable, namely regarding recognition of autonomy of Abkhazia and South Ossetya Churches. It is desirable and necessary to maintain contact between the churches.
David Bakradze informed the World Patriarch concerning the condition of orthodox churches in the conflict regions and noted that upon the military actions, most of them were considerably damaged. It was also noted that separatists invaded churches and eliminated ecclesiastic literature in Georgian. Georgia has no possibility to restore this literature and separatists and Russian side do not pay proper attention to them.
Rustavi2
