At a meeting of many thousands, which gathered today in Tbilisi in connection with the anniversary of the tragic events of 1989, the singer Gia Gachechiladze addressed the audience, in support of the Patriarch. “Now a targeted attack is underway on the Church and the Patriarch, mud and lies are poured on him, dozens of people are brought in, provocations are being arranged near the building of the Patriarchate! Let’s show them that there are more of us, that Georgia is us, and not a bunch of politicizing schismatics.” Because of the appeal, thousands of people went to the Georgian Patriarchate, chanting “Thank you” and “Holy One, we love you!”
On April 1, metropolitan Peter (Tsaava), banned from serving, held a meeting of his supporters near the Georgian Patriarchate in Tbilisi, demanding church reforms, recognition of the schismatic “OCU” and the subordination of the Georgian Church to the Phanar. The metropolitan himself is known for his support for Patriarch Bartholomew and slander against the Patriarch and the episcopate of the Georgian Church.