Congratulation of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the so-called South Ossetia’s president over his victory in so-called elections is unclear. Such a statement was released by the Georgian Patriarchate.

“The mentioned letter of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia raises misunderstandings, because:

a) The Russian Church recognizes the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church on the territory of so-called South Ossetia;
b) b) The Georgian Church, the Georgian state and the international community also recognize the internationally recognized borders of Georgia, and consider the administrations operating in the occupied territories as an occupation regime.

It is unfortunate that today, when every attempt to strengthen relations between the Orthodox Churches is paramount, steps are taken that negatively affect and complicate the current situation”, - reads the statement.