Abkhazia is a secular state here the church acts independently from the government and the government is not going to interfere with the internal affairs of Church. Secessionists' leader Sergey Bagapsh said in Sokhumi at the pres conference concerning the situation around the Abkhazian Church.
"The appointment of new head for the Athon monastery will not happen over public demonstrations. This question, by my opinion is to be decided on the gathering of Eparchy, by the ecclesiastical representatives, "- Bagaps said.
To the question of legitimacy of appointment of Russian bishop to the Athon monastery of Ephrem Vinogradov, - Bagapsh replied this is a right question, he is a canonical pope. "He was not send by Russian Patriarch Kilill, he was invited here over the Abkhazian Orthodox Church demand, "- Bagapsh said.
For information, for the several last weeks in the Abkhazian Church the holy fathers are divided in two camps. The confrontation rose over the appointment to the Athon monastery of Russian bishop. The monastery brotherhood refuses to accept the bishop sent by Russian Patriarch, they are demanding the Abkhazian nationality ecclesiastical servant Andery Ampar. They already choose him as a head of the monastery.
