The Georgian Orthodox Church, one of the most respected institutions in Georgia, is officially remaining above the political fray following the country’s disputed parliamentary election. But the Church, in proclaiming its neutrality in politics, nevertheless has made its political preferences known.

A public statement made just days before the October 26 election seemed to uphold its neutral stance: in a tense political environment, the Patriarchate said that it would not become a political actor.

“We ask clergymen to take into account in their speeches and invocations that they have a special role in maintaining community unity and peace,” the Church hierarchy stated. At the same time, the Church statement reminded believers that the Patriarchate supports “choices that will bring long-lasting peace to Georgia,” as well as the deepening of “Christian and family traditions” in society.

Such wording mirrored the rhetoric of the incumbent Georgian Dream party, which secured 54 percent of the vote, according to disputed results tallied by the Central Election Commission. Georgian Dream’s central campaign promises were to keep Georgia out of conflict with Russia against the backdrop of war in Ukraine and protect traditional values from being undermined by foreign influence. Without directly saying it, the Church made it clear which side it aligns with.

Earlier in 2024, amid protests caused by Georgian Dreams’ ramming through the controversial “foreign agents” law through parliament, the Church clearly outlined its political position, publicly taking the side of the government.

“We do not expect help from anyone in ideological matters, we do not even need it,” read a Church statement on April 27. “We note that the government has clearly taken the path of protecting traditional values.”

For the election results dispute, the Patriarchate has once again reverted to adopting a neutral stance. But the façade of unanimity among the Church leadership is showing cracks. Some leading clerics, mainly those leading Georgian Orthodox communities abroad, are voicing direct criticism of Georgian Dream’s conduct of the election.

On October 28, Saba, the bishop of North America, spoke out on the issue of voter suppression, seemingly poking holes in the government’s narrative that the elections were free and fair, in spite of evidence to the contrary. He specifically criticized the lack of access to polling stations for Georgians living abroad. Expat voters in the United States, for example, could not vote by mail, and only polling stations in New York, Washington and San Francisco were available. Would-be voters reported having to wait half-a-day or more to cast ballots.

“I witnessed firsthand the situation during the elections,” Bishop Saba said in a video address. “Tens of thousands of people living in Philadelphia and various cities wanted polling stations to be opened, but the government did not appreciate this need.”

In Georgia, reports have circulated about widespread irregularities on election day, ranging from ballot box stuffing to violence and intimidation. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, a leading monitoring group, said that “fundamental flaws in pre-election and election-day processes impacted voters’ ability to express their free choice.”

Georgian Dream officials have dismissed these concerns, but Bishop Saba acknowledged in his statement that such issues occurred.

“We, as immigrants, cannot afford to be indifferent to our country. When decisions are not made freely, when someone votes under the influence of bribery or promises of a good job, that person becomes a liability and cannot contribute meaningfully to our homeland, our country, or our people,” he said.

Prior to the election, Zenon, archbishop of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir, issued a statement implying disagreement with Georgia Dream’s geopolitical course, in which Georgia has drifted away from the West over the past few years. “We belong to the Western world and remain an integral part of this family to this day. Citizenship embodies the revelation and expression of our God-given autonomy, free will, and capacity to choose. […] By participating in elections, we safeguard both personal and national boundaries.”

In response to a query from Eurasianet, Archpriest Andria Jaghmaidze, head of the Patriachate’s public relations department, declined to elaborate on the Church’s political stance on the election results. “If we make any statement, it will be published on the official page,” he said.