Can religion heal the rift between Russia and Georgia?
With the Russian patriarchy refusing to accept the independence of either South Ossetian or Abkhazian Orthodox Churches, the plan is to provide help for war victims through the Georgian patriarchy. The Georgian Orthodox Church is represented by a delegation, which includes the metropolitan of the Georgian Church, representatives of the eparchies in Gory and Poti, as well as the former Georgian ambassador to Russia. And, while the two countries’ governments have refused to engage in dialogue since their conflict in August, the spiritual leaders are keen to improve their relationship. A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church told ITAR-TASS: “A working contact with representatives of the Georgian Church is permanently maintained and the relationship between the two churches remains cordial, despite the severe tension in the political relationship.” The two churches are said to be concerned with the current political situation, which doesn’t allow the Georgian episcope to make ministeri
