Georgian theologians doubt ROC's chances to recognize autocephaly of Abkhazian and South-Ossetian Churches

The Georgian Orthodox Church will consider recognizing the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine after the reaction of other Orthodox Churches becomes known, the Georgian theologians interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" believe. At the same time, they doubted a possibility of such a response move of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) like setting autocephalous churches in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 5, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed the Tomos about the autocephaly (independence) of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

According to Vlazhimir Narciya, a theologian, the ROC has no authority to issue Tomos, which would have the canonical force. He admits that the ROC will try to attract the church territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. However, this will only strengthen the break with Constantinople, which has the exclusive right to provide autocephaly within the family of Orthodox Churches.

There is no certainty that the Synod of the Georgian Church will unanimously support the OCU's autocephaly at the nearest cathedral gathering, Mr Narciya believes, noting that the voice of the anti-Russian group in the Synod had clearly strengthened.

Georgia is interested in "maintaining its harmonious presence within the canonical-Orthodox space," he has added.