Georgia: Stalin Icon removed from Tbilisi church

Source: BBC

Georgia: Stalin Icon removed from Tbilisi church

18 January 2024

By Rayhan Demytrie in Tbilisi & Robert Greenall in London
BBC News

An icon depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin meeting a Russian Orthodox saint has been removed from Georgia's main cathedral.

The Georgian Church said the painting had been taken away to be "amended" as there was "insufficient evidence" the two had ever met.

The painting has caused a public outcry and was recently splashed with blue paint in a protest by an activist.

Church leaders and the ruling party have condemned the action.

But the Patriarchate of Georgia said in a statement last week that icons had to portray "real stories" and that the depiction of Stalin had to be changed.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68020286


The icon shows Soviet dictator Stalin being blessed by St Matrona of Moscow (Reuters)