The Georgian Orthodox Church does not support compulsory vaccination against COVID-19, as everyone should have freedom of choice and this is an inviolable right granted by the Almighty, a new statement from the Georgian Patriarchate said.
In February 2021, the Georgian St. Synod issued an address outlining its position on this issue. It said that the Church appreciates the actions of medical professionals to protect human health, but will not take responsibility for promoting coronavirus vaccination, as this is the work of specialists.
Those priests who agitate people not to get vaccinated or refuse communion to those who have been vaccinated are condemned.
In particular, the statement said:
“We would like to remind the public once again of the official position of the Georgian Orthodox Church regarding the coronavirus vaccination, which is reflected in the resolution of the Synod.
Although it has been explained several times, due to the radical position taken by some clergy recently, we will reiterate that the vaccine has no religious significance. Therefore, it is inadmissible for a clergyman to forbid believers to perform this procedure for religious reasons or to restrict their communion because they have been vaccinated.
It is completely unacceptable for a Christian to also spread harsh and insulting appeals against this way of treatment. The decision of the Synod is also contradicted by the ban on wearing masks during worship in the parish.
We also note that the Church cannot support compulsory vaccination, regardless of the reason for it. Everyone should have the opportunity to make free choices. This is a God-given inviolable right and it must be protected.
We once again appeal to the clergy to ensure that their actions regarding vaccination do not go beyond the decision of the Synod. In case of arbitrariness on the part of the clergy, the parish may turn to the Georgian Patriarchate. “
