The Holy Synod names 2017 as a year of struggle against the Georgian Orthodox church. The announcement was made on the 40th anniversary of the Patriarch"s enthronement today. A part of Georgian clergy was not attending the festive liturgy. Among them is the Archbishop Iakob.

The Holy Synod"s statement indicates that, due to the current situation, a disagreement between the members of the Church of Georgia is not ruled out

"Regrettably, in the beginning of the year, the turbulent events associated with the church prevented a certain part of the society from imparting the importance of the festive days. If even the greatest saints of the Church cannot endure the temptation, it is not surprising that in the XXI century there are examples of temptation and disagreement between the members of the Church of Georgia, which has the grave spiritual heritage, "says the Holy Synod.