“Russia took land, EU takes choice”: Georgian Orthodox Church Bishop defiant on family values

Following Sunday's liturgy, Bishop Jakob of Bodbe of the Georgian Orthodox Church addressed his parishioners with a sermon touching upon recent political developments in Georgia.

Bishop criticised the recent EU demands regarding Georgian legislation, particularly referencing the call to withdraw the family values law, emphasising that such interference undermined Georgia’s cultural and spiritual identity.

He further argued that certain trends promoted in Western countries were contradicting the teachings of God and traditional Christian values.

“We see that in recent decades, teachings against God have emerged and taken root in many countries. If you look at our situation - what does today's territorial Europe, their governments, want from us? Apparently, we must fulfill eight [recommendations] by August 31. They say it will be the Government's fault if we can no longer travel abroad visa-free”, the Bishop said.

“Look at what they are asking for: ‘Withdraw the law on family values’. Why are you stopping me from having traditions and defending family values as I wish? How does Europe differ from Russia? Russia took 20% of my land, and now you are taking away my choice? You will not achieve this in Georgia. This is not for the government to decide; the people have decided. You speak to us through the people, and the people have decided and made our choice, because Christ is our choice. We will not concede anything; foreign countries should know this well”, he concluded.

The European Commission has sent a letter to Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, outlining eight recommendations the country must fulfil to avoid jeopardizing its visa-free travel with the EU.

One of the main recommendations is the repeal of the laws on transparency of foreign influence and on the protection of family values and minors.