The Georgian government will provide an additional 7,500,000 GEL to the Patriarchate for the restoration, reconstruction, and conservation works of the Gelati Monastery Complex.
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According to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decree, the Finance Ministry will allocate the specified amount from the fund designated for projects to be implemented in the regions as outlined in the 2024 budget to the National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. Subsequently, the agency will transfer the funds to the Orthodox Church of Georgia.
The Culture Ministry initially carried out the rehabilitation of the Gelati Monastery Complex. However, a year ago, at the end of February 2023, the ministry handed over the works to the Patriarchate. This decision followed the Patriarchate's statement that "the crisis of the 21st century of the Gelati Cathedral began as a result of the rehabilitation works carried out in 2015-2019" and in 2021, the wall painting was in a serious condition. Shortly before this announcement by the Patriarchate, the Giorgi Chubinashvili National Research Center for the History of Georgian Art and Monument Protection published a critical and alarming report on the damage to the Gelati frescoes. The report identified several facts containing signs of a criminal offense, although no one has been held accountable so far.
Recently, conservation works on the wall paintings in the main temple of the Gelati Monastery Complex have commenced.
It should be noted that the Orthodox Church of Georgia receives 25 million GEL annually from the state budget. In the current year, an additional 35 million was allocated, which, according to Irakli Kobakhidze's decree dated March 15, was designated "to provide financial support" to the institutions established by the Patriarchate. Out of the 35 million GEL, 22,157,000 GEL will be allocated to the Fund for the Development of Education and Cultural Events of the Patriarchate, and 485,000 GEL will be allocated to the Gymnasium named after the Holy King. The remaining funds will be distributed to various educational institutions operating under the Patriarchate.
According to the Social Justice Center, increasing funding for the Patriarchate contradicts the constitutional principles of secularism and equality. Additionally, the non-governmental organization asserts that in an election year, this decision "serves more of a political purpose and is intended to gain electoral support by mobilizing church loyalty and ultimately religious sentiments."
