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Father Basili Driven Out from Saingilo

August 31, 2011

Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti

The only Georgian priest father Basili was driven out of Saingilo. Father Basili was serving in Kakhi St. George Church. Before driving him out, security officials of Kakhi region prohibited him to whitewash the temple facade or arrange the church yard. The workers were thrown down from the scaffolds.

Information regarding the pressure against Father Basili was disseminated in May. Kakhi residents stated that the priests could not endure such pressure and left Saingilo. Mama Basili patiently endured the insult.

“Father Basili was threatened and oppressed. He was forced to leave this place. For example, he was prohibited to sanctify the graveyards on the second day of Easter,” – stated resident of Alibeglo T. B-shvili.

“We planted flowers in the yard of Kakhi St. George church, but the security officials made us pluck them out. The church was half whitewashed from the outside. The church workers were thrown down from the scaffolds and were not allowed to finish the work,” – stated one of the residents who did not say his name.

“The priest was not allowed to go alone anywhere. People followed him everywhere, spied on him and eavesdropped to find out what we talked about in the church. When we complained about something to Father Basili, the security officials would somehow find it out and threaten us,” – noted T.T-shvili.

We contacted the bishop of Khornabuji and Hereti Melchizedek for the commentary. The bishop denied the fact of driving priest out of Hereti. “By the blessing of Patriarch Father Basili was transferred to Tbilisi and the temple of monks started functioning in Kakhi. Father Demetre was sent out from Georgia. I know nothing more,” – stated the Bishop.

On May 6th, at St. George day, the bishop Melchizedek held a service in Kakhi St. George church. During preaching Melchizedek stated that whatever happens in Saingilo is very bad. “The congregation has been reduced. I do not understand unilateral friendship. I am calling on Georgian side, Georgian government to pay attention to Georgians living here who preserve Georgian traditions, culture, language and faith despite the opposition,” – noted the Bishop.

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