Metropolitan of Ruisi and Urbnisi Iobi (Akiashvili) has stated that in Georgia, people’s masks have begun to slip and it is finally becoming clear who is who. The hierarch made these remarks in response to the wave of attacks launched against him following his sharp criticism of the ruling authorities.
During his sermon on Sunday, November 15, the metropolitan once again addressed the socio-political situation in the country.
“It has fallen to us to live in an era when the unmasking process has already begun. Who is who has already become apparent. There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and no secret that will not come to light. And that is a good thing. It is very difficult to exist in a fog where you cannot distinguish and comprehend who is standing beside you.”
Iobi also called on clergy and citizens to remain faithful to God and the homeland, to care for one another, and to protect the country.
Bishop Giorgi (Jamdeliani) of Marneuli also spoke out in support of the metropolitan and in criticism of the government.
“Do not consider yourselves our masters, and do not look down on people. You are ordinary citizens of this country just like everyone else—children of our nation, children of our Mother Church. Do not distance yourselves so far from the people. Let us seek a way forward,” Jamdeliani said, addressing representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
According to him, following Iobi’s critical remarks, a targeted smear campaign was unleashed against him involving pro-government media and other platforms.
“You engaged the state propaganda machine, everyone joined in, and deliberate insults began. The word ‘insults’ is far too mild for what they allowed themselves to direct at Vladyka Iobi,” the bishop stated.
The cleric also questioned whether the country is heading in the right direction and whether the state being built is the one promised before. He emphasized that the church must not become an instrument of political power.
Earlier, Metropolitan Iobi was also backed by the head of the Diocese of Mestia and Upper Svaneti, Ilarion (Kitiashvili), who likewise criticized the authorities. In a published statement, he urged the government to end the illegal surveillance of citizens and clergy, tighten policies on gambling and narcotics, and reassess migration and demographic policies.
“The voice of the Church cannot be silenced by material prosperity, state funding, or covert pressure mechanisms,” Ilarion declared.
Metropolitan Nikoloz of Kumurdo and Kars also addressed the need for change raised by Father Iobi in his controversial sermon, though he urged caution. In his view, while change is necessary, it is vital that it does not lead to a worsening of the situation.
Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Department of the Georgian Patriarchate, spoke out against the verbal attacks on the metropolitan. He noted that the rhetoric following Iobi’s sermon transgresses Christian morality, and that addressing a hierarch with derogatory language shows disrespect to the church as a whole.
Tensions between part of the clergy and the authorities were sparked by the metropolitan’s sermon delivered to his congregation on November 10. In it, he leveled sharp criticism against both the government and senior church figures.
The metropolitan characterized the current leadership as “unbelieving and non-practicing” and pointed to attempts to merge church and state. According to him, state financing creates a financial dependency of the clergy on the authorities and prevents clerics from speaking their minds openly.
Iobi also claimed that the majority of the clergy, in their standard of living and level of luxury, have come to resemble government bureaucrats. He called for transparency in church finances, spoke out against the unchecked spread of gambling and narcotics, and highlighted demographic decline and corruption.
The metropolitan separately asserted that the current government has exhausted its mandate and that Georgia must elect a more worthy leadership in the future. He noted that he had previously supported Georgian Dream’s ascent to power, having viewed it as the lesser of two evils compared to the alternative.
The metropolitan’s vocal criticism drew a fierce reaction from pro-government figures and affiliated media outlets. In particular, Iobi was accused of using the pulpit for political campaigning and was branded a supporter of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.
Lasha Natsvlishvili, an ardent supporter and former PR consultant for Georgian Dream, resorted to personal attacks against the cleric on social media. Consequently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) opened administrative proceedings against him on charges of petty disorderly conduct.
