Metropolitan of Gori: The Ukrainian issue is sensitive for all Orthodoxy

Metropolitan Andrea of Gori

by Romfea.news

“Sober” were the statements of Metropolitan Andrea of Gori and Ateni of the Patriarchate of Georgia, concerning the process of granting Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine.

The Metropolitan, when asked to comment on the recent decision to grant the Tomos to Ukraine, stressed that “granting Autocephaly should be done only in the canonical way.”

He also expressed the view that Orthodox believers in Ukraine have the right to request an Autocephalous Church, but this must be developed in a canonical way, and nothing else.

Commenting on the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Ukrainian authorities on the issue of Autocephaly, the Hierarch of the Patriarchate of Georgia said that “it is very difficult to answer because this is a sensitive issue for all Orthodoxy.”

“It is necessary to learn the opinion of other Churches on this issue, because it needs to be approached with great care,” Metropolitan of Gori added.

Finally, Metropolitan Andrea said that he does not yet know when the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, which will decide on the “Ukrainian issue”, will hold a session.