The Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, the Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, the Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia, His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II asked the journalists not to let the Georgian people to confront each other.

As it was stated by His Holiness in today's Sunday sermon, there are cases when a particular clergyman gives his opinion and he immediately is declared as an enemy. As explained the Patriarch, all men are free and are entitled to express their opinions.

His Holiness also expressed his regret over the fact that sometimes the press publishes the statements by clergy. "I often read in press what said the Archbishop Iov or Father Tariel. They expressed their opinion and it does not mean that they are enemies. They are just the children of God and country, like everyone else. I ask journalists not to divide people. This is the division of the people. It is unacceptable to let the Georgian people to confront each other. It is believed that we support some political party and that is why there is a confrontation. It doesn’t matter who do we support, all of them - the government or opposition party representatives, sinners, saints or bandits are the spiritual children of the Georgian Church. The church must give to all the instructions. I want to ask you with fatherly love, when you say something, do not forget that behind us is our homeland. In our statements we should always keep some limit. Some say at first, and then think. In fact, you must first think and then speak "- stated His Holiness and wished that the Lord revealed the peace and blessing to Georgia and Georgian people.