The Russian Patriarchate views the churches of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as part of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Russian Patriarchate recognizes the integrity of the Canonical Georgian Orthodox Church and it has repeatedly stated its position, said representative of the Russian Patriarchate Illarion at a special news conference.
He said the Russian Patriarchate views the churches of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as part of the Georgian Orthodox Church but it is necessary to protect the interests of those religious figures that carry out their activity in the separatist regions.
According to Illarion, the negotiations on this issue between the Georgian and Russian churches will continue in 2010.
As for Patriarch's visit to Georgia, according to Illarion, such a visit is possible but the date is unclear yet.
Georgia Online
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