The Patriarchate of Georgia issues a statement regarding the visit of Metropolitan Nikoloz to Moscow and notes that it was not an official visit.

“Information was spread in the media and the Internet, according to which the Patriarchate of Georgia sent Metropolitan Nikoloz of Akhalkalaki, Kumurdo and Kari to Moscow to congratulate the Russian Patriarch Kirill on Angel’s Day.

In this regard, we clarify:

The Patriarchate had no information that Metropolitan was attending the service on this day, until a photograph depicting the relevant fact was spread on the Internet.

We clearly note that this was not an official visit. In the last period, he has visited Moscow several times due to his private and personal needs, because he has there family members and other relatives”, - reads the statement.