The Problematic Events of 1997 in the Georgian Orthodox Church − Exit from the World Council of Churches

Abstract

The Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia, in its centuries-long history of existence, repeatedly faced internal and external challenges.
One of the acute ones was the complexly problematic issue raised in the Georgian Church in 1997, when there was an active demand that the Georgian Orthodox Church leave the international religious organization "World Council of Churches". This request was voiced by the members of many monasteries,various clergy and part of the parish. They published official letters in which they announced that they were severing the Eucharistic connection with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and Patriarchate of Georgia. The mentioned letters were printed in the contemporary press.
The situation was very serious and at the same time connected with acute threats, since there was a danger of schism (split) in the Orthodox Church of Georgia. At the same time, the Church of Georgia found itself in the danger of self-isolation in the international arena, however, the situation demanded urgent and reasonable decisions to be made in order for the Church of Georgia to avoid schism.
On May 20, 1997, the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Georgia took place, which made a decision on the withdrawal of the Georgian Church from the World Council of Churches. At the same time, impose canonical punishments on those persons who broke the Eucharistic unity with the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and the Patriarchate of Georgia.