Patriarchate occupies presidential residence

This is a photo of Bobokvati presidential residence in Kobuleti, Black Sea area – at different times a favorite recreation place of Georgian presidents, regional governors and Central Committee first secretaries.

It comprises 18 buildings and facilities, located on 149thousand 798 sq.m. land plot, with subtropical trees, palms and pine trees and 12thousand sq.m. coast line.

On 12 September, 2015, this state property was transferred to the Patriarchate of Georgia at a symbolic price – GEL1.

The Patriarchate, in turn, shall return to the state 721hectare Krtsanisi forest park, also transferred to it at GEL1 in 2010.

Bobokvati residence is not the first and, probably, not the least, transferred under the Church management. 527 thousand 327 sq.m. land area and different immovables were transferred to the Patriarchate within the period from 2012 through September 2015.

A few months ago, Bobokvati residence was included in the privatization objects’ list. The Economy Ministry was going to sell it at GEL34million. The funds were to be allocated to the state budget, affected by Lari depreciation. However, the plan suddenly changed.

There are many unanswered questions in this property swap story. The Patriarchate does not comment on its goals with regard to Bobokvati residence.

As for Krtsanisi forest park in Tbilisi outskirts, the government officials claim, it is a more profitable privatization object than Bobokvati. Therefore, the state had a good bargain swapping it for Bobokvati residence. However, Krtsanisi forest park’s current status bans any kind of construction on its territory. Thus, it is unclear, what investment value it may have.

     •   The relationship between the state and the Georgian Church is regulated by the constitutional agreement– concordat, concluded in 2012. Under this agreement, the state confirms the material and moral damage, inflicted to the Church in Soviet epoch and undertakes to partially indemnify the damage. It was after the conclusion of the concordat, that a practice of property transfer to the Church was introduced.

     •   Orthodox Church is the hugest among the confessions existing in Georgia. 80% of the population are Orthodox Christians. 95% consider the Patriarch the most influential figure in the country.

     •    The majority of parish justify the financial and other privileges, that the Orthodox Church enjoys. Only a certain part has a question – why is the Church funded through their taxes.

     •    Experts and NGOs consider that the agreement between the state and the Church puts other religions in Georgia in an unequal position.