The Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate released a statement about the vaccination of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

“Various information is periodically disseminated about the vaccination of the Catholicos-Patriarch. Whether Ilia II gets vaccinated or not, it cannot be a determinant for others.

Neither the positive nor the negative attitude of this or that clergyman towards vaccination can be an example, because it is part of the medical field, it requires an individual approach and is beyond our competence.

We believe that according to the questions of the population, the society should be provided with information from specialists in the relevant field to help people make personal choices.

Vaccination should be voluntary and no matter if the case concerns vaccination or non-vaccination there should be no coercion or judgment-insulting of each other. However, it should be noted that compliance with the regulations in a pandemic is essential for everyone”, - reads the statement.