Tbilisi, December 22, 2010
The Georgian Patriarchate announced the transfer of control over the Abkhaz Diocese to the leader of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
"The Holy Synod has examined a very important issue and made a historical decision: that on the basis of historical documents and the current situation, control over the Tskhum-Abkhaz Diocese should be handed over to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia," the Patriarchate said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The territory controlled by the diocese covers Abkhazia and part of the Georgian region of Samegrelo.
Meanwhile, Abkhaz cleric Vissarion Aplia said on December 9 that recognition by the Georgian Patriarchate of the independence of the "Abkhazi Church" must be a pre-condition for their dialog.
The lack of such recognition today is "The main obstacle to visits to Abkhazia by Georgian clergymen," he said.
Interfax - Religion