Metropolitan Daniel of Chiatura and Sachkhere stated that the potential release of those detained during the protests could be one of the issues discussed. He noted that similar discussions had already taken place during the lifetime of Ilia II, as well as with the participation of the then-locum tenens of the Patriarch and other hierarchs. These discussions are ongoing, and, according to him, there is hope of seeing a result.
“Convening a meeting of the Holy Synod is the prerogative of Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III, but he has not yet said anything to us about this, so for now I cannot say anything.
Bishop Anton: Synod to discuss treatment of children and fate of prisoners
Personally, I believe that this could be one of the <issues for> discussion, but, again, I repeat that this is the Patriarch’s prerogative. We already discussed this during the lifetime of Ilia II, and the locum tenens spoke about it, and the hierarchs discussed it. These conversations are ongoing, and we hope to see a result.
Our great desire is for the confrontation in the country to end and for peace and unity to be restored. This requires mutual respect from both sides, and, in my view, it is this respect that will become the foundation. Not insults and not disrespect — this, it seems to me, is the foundation. This is my personal opinion,” the Metropolitan stated.
As a reminder, it was previously reported that following the election of the new Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, several representatives of the Patriarchate of Georgia stated that Shio III would likely raise the issue of pardoning the participants of pro-European protests with the authorities.
New Patriarch Shio III may raise the issue of releasing detainees