Georgian priest detained in Abkhazia

A Georgian priest, Father Pimen (Roman Kardava), has been detained in Abkhazia. According to the Abkhaz Orthodox Church, he had promoted "nationalist ideas" among the local population.

Father Pimen served in the Gali District, where mainly ethnic Georgians live. The reasons for Father Pimen's arrest have not yet been officially announced. At the same time, the head of the Abkhaz Orthodox Church, Father Vissarion, has stated that Pimen "had used to introduce nationalist ideas among the population of the Gali District."

Father Vissarion has also noted that Father Pimen had conducted his services without the blessing of the Abkhaz Diocese, which is unacceptable. According to Vissarion, living in the Gali District gives no right to Roman Kardava to conduct church services without permission, the “JAMnews” outlet wrote on June 17.

Father Pimen was arrested for two months and placed into a pre-trial detention cell, the “Abkhazia-Centre” Telegram channel has noted.

"Officially, Abkhazia is under the "jurisdiction" of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC), to which Roman Kardava belongs. However, in fact, since the end of the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz war, the GOC has had no influence in Abkhazia," the “JAMnews” has clarified.

Currently, there are two unrecognized Orthodox churches operating in Abkhazia: the Abkhaz Orthodox Church, headed by Father Vissarion, and the Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia under the leadership of Archimandrite Dorotheos. Both structures argue with each other about how and through whom the autocephaly of the Abkhaz Church should be recognized. The churches of the Gali District, where Father Pimen had served, are subordinate to the Abkhaz Orthodox Church, the “Sova” outlet has noted.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 18, 2025 at 09:26 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.