Georgian Orthodox Church has refused to take part in the  Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in Crete. The relevant decision was adopted by the Holy Synod Friday.  

At the end of the Holy Synod, metropolitan Mesti-Zemo Svaneti Illarion stated that the Georgian Orthodox Church will not take part in the Pan-Orthodox Council, the decision on this having been made unanimously.

The Holy Synod session was presided by Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, Georgia On-line reports.

Following the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod of Antioch Patriarchate stated that its delegation will not take part in the Pan-Orthodox Council.  This position can be changed only if the conflict between the Antioch and Jerusalem Patriarchates is solved.  

The Pan-Orthodox Council will be held in Crete on June 16-26. It has not been convened for over thousands of years, having been prepared for more than half a century.