President Saakashvili said the Georgian Orthodox Church was “a beacon” for and “the driving force” behind Georgia’s future renewal and reunification.

Saakashvili was speaking at a meeting with visiting Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I on October 13. Bartholomew I is regarded as the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, although he has no direct jurisdiction over the other patriarchs or the other autocephalous Orthodox Churches.

“Our church is known not only for its loyalty towards the Orthodox faith, but also for its tolerance and very consistent policy of promoting European values,” Saakashvili said.

He also praised Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church Ilia II. “Under his leadership the Orthodox Church has gained an extremely important role,” the president said.

“The fact that such an important delegation is now visiting Georgia demonstrates our Church’s huge international reputation,” he added.

On October 14, Patriarch Illia II and Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I jointly officiated at the Svetitskhoveli cathedral outside Tbilisi. President Saakashvili and other top level officials were in attendance.