Georgia, Tbilisi, Dec. 22 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
The Holy Synod has decided to transfer the management of the Tskhum-Abkhazian diocese to Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, the Patriarchate reported.
The Patriarchate further said that the Synod based the decision on historical documents and took into account the current situation.
Theretofore, the title of Catholicos-Patriarch is to be cited as His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and the Metropolitan of Pitsunda and Tskhum-Abkhazeti.
His Eminence Metropolitan Tskhum-Abkhazeti Daniel (Datuashvili) was dismissed from Tskhum-Abkhazian diocese. He was thanked for the work done and appointed Metropolitan Chiatura and Sachkhere.
The Holy Synod also addressed the issues of clergy working in the poor villages, and decided to give them financial assistance, saying that those who are sent for education from the regions to the religious schools of Tbilisi must return to their dioceses.
A reminder was also given to all members of the Georgian Patriarchate churches that service should be accompanied by the Georgian polyphonic singing, adding that canonical measures will be used in case of violation.