The Union Century 21 continues meetings in the eparchies of the Georgian Patriarchy.
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On May 16, was organized a meeting with the Batumi and Lazeti Eparchy clergy. The meeting was attended by Batumi and lazeti Metropolitan Dimitri. The meeting was attended by the towns of the Supreme Council Chairman Avtandil Beridze.
On May 17, was organized a meeting with the Shemokmedi Eparchy clergy. The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Ioseb. The meeting was attended by the governor and state attorneys-Guria Municipalities Gia Salukvadze.
On May 20, was organized a meeting with the Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti Eparchy. The meeting was attended Catholicos-Patriarch, Archbishop Theodore, the clergymen of the Eparchy. The meeting was attended by the governor and state attorneys Mr. Akaki Machutadze.
Before the present audience came out with speeches European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia, Mr. David Bakradze and the Union “21st Century” program Director, Mr. Paata Gachechiladze. Participated in meetings with EU and NATO Information Center, the Deputy Director, Mr. George Paresashvili.
Mr. David Bakradze went over the current Georgian-European integration process, its political, economic, and social significance for our country and its population. The discussion included the factors, which are hindering this process, stereotypes and myths, which are circulating in our society and the Russian propaganda’s role in implementation of these stereotypes.
The Programs Supervisor of “Union 21st Century” Paata Gachechiladze introduced to the present audience a presentation about State-Church relation models of EU member countries and important issues concerned with the legal aspect of the relationship. Particular interest was drawn by the issues of the practice of the countries which formerly socialist countries were represented or included in the Soviet Union (for example: Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) Orthodox churches state-church relations and their legislative regulation.
At the meetings, there was some discussion of the legislative act, which is still ongoing discussion / Currently, the country’s legislative body. Emphasized the importance of public participation in the legislative process, and this process is completely transparent manner.
The members of the audience were handed a book “State and Church in the EU member countries”, in electronic as well as printed format.
The project is being executed with the support of EU.