The dean gave the blessing and regards of His Holiness to Mikheil Saakashvili, and asked him to end the hunger strike - Patriarchate

The Georgian Patriarchate has released a statement regarding the visit of the Secretary of the Patriarchate, Archbishop Michael Botkoveli, to the third President of the Georgia. The Patriarchate writes that the dean the blessing and regards of His Holiness to Mikheil Saakashvili and on behalf of the Patriarch asked him to end the hunger strike.

"Today, October 7, 2021, with the blessing of His Holiness, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, the Secretary of the Catholicos-Patriarch, Archbishop Michael Botkovel visited the third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili at the Rustavi Penitentiary.

Archbishop Mikael Botkovel gave the blessing and regards of His Holiness to Mikheil Saakashvili and, as in all similar cases,  asked on behalf of the church to end the hunger strike because it is a non-Christian act," the statement reads.

For reference, Mikheil Saakashvili has been on hunger strike for 7 days in prison.