The Georgian Patriarchate has dismissed claims by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service regarding alleged external influence on the leadership of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Patriarchate’s public relations service, said that “such interference by another local church is unimaginable and entirely impossible.”
Speaking to InterpressNews, Jagmaidze also noted that the basis of the information circulated by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia remains unclear.
The Russian agency had earlier alleged that Bartholomew I is seeking to expand influence over the Georgian Orthodox Church and is backing specific candidates for the position of Patriarch—claims that have not been independently verified.
Related story: Russia’s Foreign Intelligence claims ecumenical Patriarch lobbying candidates in Georgian church succession
