Authors: Manana Ghoghoberidze, Aidan Yusif, Natia Mikhelidze
According to the Russian ideologist Alexander Dugin’s theory of network warfare, religion is viewed as a tool for influencing the masses in the context of Russian hybrid warfare. Russia has been employing this strategy against Georgia for several decades.
The Patriarchate of Georgia receives funding through various channels. Specifically, it receives approximately 30 million GEL annually from the state budget. In addition, the Patriarchate benefits from personal donations and gifts from both governmental sources and private individuals. Notably, some individuals contribute funds earned in Russia to support the clergy, construct churches, and meet various financial needs.
According to state security experts, channeling Russian funds into the church is a potential means of gaining favor with Russia among the population. Indeed, Russian money finds its way into the church, at times facilitated by Georgian businessmen who have amassed wealth in Russia and, on occasion, directly from the pockets of Russian businessmen.
In September 2021, details regarding the connection between businessmen and the Georgian Church surfaced, originating from State Security Service records leaked by unidentified sources. The authenticity of these materials remains unverified as of now. Therefore, “iFact” does not rely on these files. We are presenting the material that has undergone a three-month investigative journalistic process, substantiated either by documents or corroborated through accounts from various sources.
The Patriarchate does not have the information about the number of churches in the country and the funding behind their construction. In a research conducted by the media outlet “Indigo” last year, researchers systematically collected data about churches and monasteries across villages. Their findings indicate 3,400 churches and monasteries in Georgia, with 1,250 of them, accounting for 36%, constructed after 1990. Assessing the extent of Russian capital financing for those built in the last 30 years presents a challenge, requiring more extensive research.
In this piece, we share information about 18 businessmen in Russia who have built 20 churches in Georgia.
“Picture this: while listening to the sermon, we reveal that the funding for this church came from Russia. It plants the notion in your mind that Russia is actively safeguarding Orthodoxy in Georgia. These are deliberate investments in ideology, fostering a belief among Georgian citizens that Russia plays a role in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage, history, and identity. Those who earn their wealth in Russia spare no expense for this cause. A businessman of this kind might eventually urge you not to take a stance, for example, concerning Russia’s actions in Ukraine. They may say, “I’ve invested so much for your well-being, and now, if you support me, it’s only natural. Such scenario is a threat to the state of Georgia and the Church itself.”
Tells us Davit Dzidzishvili, a researcher of hybrid warfare.
Researchers clarify that achieving success in business in Russia is typically contingent upon receiving a “green light” from the Russian authorities. To secure this approval, specific businessmen must demonstrate loyalty to the political regime, align with Russian policies, and refrain from expressing opinions against them.
“To a great extent, achieving financial success in Russia, especially to a substantial degree, implies a person’s dependence on the government. This involves having obligations in Russia. Consequently, when such an individual arrives in Georgia and has political aspirations, questions arise about whether their actions align with Russian interests. The prevailing sentiment in society that Russian businessmen contribute to funding the church, while Western individuals support non-governmental organizations advocating for the LGBTQ community and women, once again fosters the perception that the West is betraying us, and Russia emerges as our spiritual saviour,” says Megi Kartsivadze, a doctoral student at Oxford University specializing in the study of Russia and Eastern European countries.
“It is highly unlikely for Putin to have successful businessmen who do not obey him directly or indirectly. I am convinced that Russian state monitors all their financial transactions. these individuals have support from the Russian government. Presently, financial inflows from Russia to Georgia are controlled. If they are not actively addressing a specific issue at the moment, it implies a strategic move for the future. The act of sending money is never without purpose” told us Davit Dzidzishvili.
Mariam Gamdlishvili, an expert in international relations and strategic communications and a researcher at George Washington University, emphasizes the significance of public awareness regarding the risks associated with investing Russian capital in religious institutions and underscores how such investments can jeopardize state interests. She points to the example of Ukraine, where, following the war, anything of Russian origin faced abolition.
“Before the war in Ukraine, we could not grasp the potential threat. Despite our past experiences in 2008, we couldn’t perceive the investment of Russian capital in religious institutions as a danger. It’s crucial to recall that Russian hybrid warfare fundamentally aims to engage in a battle for our hearts and minds. The ongoing question revolves around our ability to defend ourselves against such tactics. It seems that, at this stage, we are neither successful nor fully comprehend that these processes could eventually be leveraged to influence us,” says Mariam Gamdlishvili.
We’ve mapped out information regarding churches constructed with accumulated capital in Russia. To explore the unique story behind each one, simply follow the link provided and click on the cross symbols distributed across different regions.
And yet, who are the businessmen financing the construction of churches in Georgia with money earned in Russia and providing financial support to representatives of the Patriarchate?
Putin’s Admirer Khubutia
“Who is the coolest Russian? – Stalin. Of those alive today? – Of course, Putin,” this phrase belongs to Mikhail Khubutia, a Russian businessman. He is based in Moscow since the age of 17. Khubutia served as the Minister of Trade in Moscow from 1999 to 2001.
Khubutia uses the money earned from his business ventures in Russia to support the Georgian Patriarchate and churches. He visits the Patriarch in Georgia and hosts him in Russia. In December 2008, during one of the visits, Khubutia presented Ilia II with a distinctive edition of the Bible and made a monetary donation to the Patriarchate.
Originally from Zugdidi, Khubutia now holds dual citizenship of Russia and the Great Britain. He considers Russia his homeland and plans to stay there until old age. In a 2011 interview, he expressed, “I am a Russian at heart, and I no longer understand the Georgian mentality.”
Despite expressing a lack of understanding of the Georgian mentality, Khubutia is the leader of the “Union of Georgians” in Russia. In 2013, Ilia II participated in a meeting organized by this organization for the second time, bringing together various businessmen in Russia, including Levan Vasadze. In a video capturing the event, Mikheil Khubutia is observed engaging in a quiet conversation with the patriarch and kissing his hand.
Ilia II met with Khubutia in Moscow in 2008 for the second time. Following the funeral of Alex II, the “Union of Georgians” arranged a meeting between the patriarch and the Georgian diaspora in Russia. The delegation accompanying Ilia II included metropolitans Gerasime Sharashenidze and Dimitri Chuadze, protoiereus Giorgi Kharazashvili, secretary-referent Shorena Tetruashvili, archimandrite Davit Chincharauli, and former Georgian ambassador to Russia Zurab Abashidze. After the meeting, as a token of gratitude, Ilia II presented Khubutia with the book “Patriarch.” “The only person who can unite us is His Holiness,” Khubutia said at the end of the meeting.
The close relationship between the businessman and Ilia II is further underscored by their collaborative effort in 2013. With the blessings of the Patriarchs of Russia and Georgia and the financial support of Khubutia, they jointly produced a film titled “Icon.” The film revolves around the shared moral values of the Georgian and Russian people.
Mikheil Khubutia, after completing military service and receiving education in Russia from 1984, transitioned into politics. Between 1999 and 2001, he served as the Minister of Trade in the Government of Moscow. Starting in 2001, he took on the role of deputy head of the department in the State Trade Inspection.
He was friends with the former Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, serving also as his advisor. In 2010, Khubutia was a member of the Council of Experts on Investment in Moscow City Hall. Notably, he is also connected to the current mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, who supports him in his business endeavors. He served as a member of the Presidential Council on Ethnic Relations from 2012 to 2014.
It appears that Khubutia shares views with Vladimir Putin and collaborates with him. In 2010, he financed one of Putin’s initiatives, and opened a memorial dedicated to the Eastern Front in Moscow.
Mikheil Khubutia has received several awards from the Russian government. On the anniversary of the victory on the Eastern Front the President of Russia presented him with a commemorative medal. In 2010, by order of the President of Russia, he received the 2nd degree medal for service to the motherland. This award was granted in recognition of his service on the 70th anniversary of the “President’s Regiment.” Additionally, Khubutia holds the distinguished status of “Person of the Year” in Russia.
Mikhail Khubutia has been actively involved in the business activities in Russia since 1990. According to the open database of the Russian business register, his name is associated with 10 companies. Notably, he is the founder of various enterprises, including “Никавиа” airlines, the “Волга” hotel, and the “Варварка” alcoholic beverage company. Since the 2000s, Khubutia has owned the “Шатер” trading house, which operates the showroom “Гостини двор” in the city center.
Since 2010, Mikhail Khubutia owns “Колчуга,” the Russian branch of a chain of arms stores, and a restaurant chain of the same name, which is managed by his wife.
We attempted to reach Khubutia by sending a message on a social network, but he responded that he did not want to engage in conversation. We were curious about his perspective on Russia’s theory of hybrid warfare, which posits that religion is one of the tools used to influence the masses and disseminate propaganda. Unfortunately, we were unable to ask him this question.
Singer and Businessman Soso Pavliashvili’s Connection with the Patriarchate
“Is Russia an occupier or not? – There is no justification for their behavior, but if you put your hand in a cage with a trapped bear, you know in advance that it will eat you and whose fault will it be, the bear? I have been saying for years, don’t curse the Russians; years will pass, and we will have to come to apologize,” said Soso Pavliashvili in a 2015 interview.
Soso Pavliashvili’s favorable stance towards the Russian political regime became apparent on May 9 as well, when he performed at a concert commemorating the “Victory over Fascism”, simultaneously amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Having started his singing career in Moscow in 1990, Pavliashvili relocated to the Russian capital at the end of the 90s and obtained Russian citizenship. Currently, he is involved in the music industry and owns a restaurant business in Russia, including the Uzbek restaurant “Shabada.” Interviews with Pavliashvili suggest a close relationship with Patriarch Ilia II.
In 2015, Soso Pavliashvili stated, “the opinions I seek are those of the Patriarch of Georgia, my parents, and one of my friend’s. I attend church daily and pray for him. If we listen to his His Holiness, everything will be fine.”
With the financial support of Pavliashvili, construction is underway for the The Church of the Annunciation of the Mother of God near Tbilisi in the village of Tsodoreti. The construction commenced in 2020. Pavliashvili had expressed his desire to build a church in Georgia back in 2015.
The close relationship between Soso Pavliashvili and Ilia II is underscored by the honey water business. According to the leaked State Security Service records, the patriarch proposed the idea of producing honey water to the businessmen. This idea resonated with Soso Pavliashvili and his friend Paata Sulaberidze, leading them to launch the business. The record is dated June 10, 2020.
Approximately three months after the recording, Paata Sulaberidze shared a photo of honey water on his Facebook page, announcing that the beverage would be available in markets within ten days. The company “Zzip Cafe,” producing honey water, was officially registered on November 16, 2020. Luka Sulaberidze, the son of Paata Sulaberidze, is one of the owners of the company and is its public representative. Luka attributes the inspiration for the idea to his grandfather, stating, “There was such a myth that Fridon Sulaberidze danced brilliantly because he drank honey water.”
Soso Pavliashvili’s involvement in the honey water business is further supported by his statement in a 2021 interview. In the interview, he mentioned his contribution to beekeeping in Georgia and highlighted a unique product – honey water. According to him, it is bottled water with honey in the cap, meant to be mixed before consumption. The Zzip Cafe bottle precisely aligns with this description. We contacted Soso Pavliashvili’s public relations representatives on both Instagram and WhatsApp. They inquired about the format for the interview and did not provide any further responses.
Who Restored the Gori Theological School?
With the support of the servant of God Oleg and his friends, the Theological School was restored in 2006,” states a marble inscription at the entrance of the Giorgi Mtatsmindeli Gymnasium in Gori. Servant of god Oleg is a Russian businessman Oleg Afendikov.
According to the director of the gymnasium, protoiereus Boris Nichiperovich, businessman Oleg Afendikov arrived in Georgia in 2005 with the intention of constructing a church. Being influenced by his father’s support for Stalin, and given Stalin’s first name was Joseph, Afendikov wanted the church named after Joseph of Arimathea. Protoiereus Nichiperovich shares that Metropolitan Andria Gvazava met with Afendikov and suggested that if he wished to honor Stalin, it would be meaningful to renovate the school building where Stalin had studied. Afendikov agreed to this proposal and initiated the restoration of the building.
Businessman Afendikov owns four companies, with two based in Kaliningrad and two in Moscow. “Novokos Trading” and “Briz Shipping” are involved in water transport services, while “Our Era” and the historical and cultural center “Kazan” are linked to museum-related activities.
The gymnasium director, Boris Nichiperovich, also shared his perspective on financing the Georgian church with funds acquired in Russia. According to him, there is no issue with “Russian money” as long as it doesn’t compromise his principles and the donor does not hold chauvinistic views. Nichiperovich mentions having discussions with Afendikov and his associates about Russia’s crimes against Georgia, and while they listen and agree, he acknowledges their inability to change anything.
“Many of the churches you see in Georgia were likely constructed by Georgian businessmen who earned their income in Russia. Before going to Europe and other places, Georgians started making money in Russia. The crucial factor is that the earnings should be acquired through honest means, and the money shouldn’t come with any obligations. Back then, I wasn’t the director, and some research must have been done; otherwise, he wouldn’t have come. Moreover, Reverend Andria is a very cautious person. They would inquire and research things,” explains the director of the theological gymnasium.
Protoiereus Nichiperovich mentioned that businessman Afendikov visits Gori nearly every year, making a recent visit during the pandemic. In 2008, on the 190th anniversary of the Gori Theological Gymnasium, Afendikov was awarded with a gold medal from the National Mint, the same medal was awarded to Ilia II.
In 2017, following the celebration of the theological institute’s 200th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of the Patriarch’s enthronement, Metropolitan Andria Gvazava expressed gratitude to Afendikov with a commemorative gift. Afendikov’s contact information isn’t available on Russian internet sources. We sought his phone number or email address from the representative of Gori and Ateni Eparchy, but they informed us they don’t have such information.
How Should the Patriarchate Assess Risks and Where is the Solution?
Protoiereus Zaza Tevzadze anticipates that clergy might feel obligated to their funders, potentially influencing their actions or expressions to align with the donor’s preferences. The protoiereus shares his approach if approached by a Russian businessman offering to build a temple: “While some individuals genuinely offer support without expecting anything in return, acting selflessly, many see it as a means of exerting influence.
They pay to shape things according to their preferences and manipulate expressions to suit their needs. Unfortunately, such individuals are not uncommon, and they outnumber the selfless people. I, for example, would first acquaint myself with the donor’s spiritual beliefs in my approach. Subsequently, I would introduce myself, and only then would I determine whether to accept or decline their funding.
I prefer a humble, modest space over one full of gold. Genuine faith and conscience matter more than material wealth like gold, silver, pearls, or precious stones. These are not what God requires.”
Understanding the origin of donated money to churches becomes crucial in a context where Russian special services actively operate in Georgia, viewing the church as a highly reliable support. Theologian Gocha Barnovi shared insights on this matter.
“In Georgia, the church is considered the fifth column for Russia. Moscow might be willing to part ways with any pro-Russian government except the Patriarchate. The FSB ensures that no one engages in business without a purpose. Individuals allowed to accumulate wealth are often directed to invest it in activities against Georgia and actions detrimental to the Church of Georgia and the Georgian state.”
Identifying the funders and their views is also significant because they hold a crucial place in the church. As long as the church exists, the funders and the benefactors are consistently mentioned in the querex, the prayers spoken by the priest from the pulpit. Benefactors are occasionally depicted on frescoes at the temple entrance as well.
Church law also stipulates that money contributed to the construction of churches should be earned in a “pure way.” However, theologians and priests express that within the Georgian Orthodox Church, there is often a lack of interest in the origin of donations.
“Church laws are completely overlooked and violated in Georgia. Our bishops, our patriarchate, and even the patriarch himself do not consider the moral character of the donor. The primary focus is on the act of donation, regardless of whether the funds were acquired through robbery, theft, murder, or other criminal means.
The crucial aspect is that they provide money, which then utilized as needed, whether for the construction of churches and monasteries or for personal expenses,” remarks protoiereus Ilia Chigladze.
“It doesn’t always need to be explicitly stated in black and white. This is a matter of basic morality. When you accept money of questionable origin to construct a church, you essentially grant a certain indulgence to businessmen: donate to the church, and your conscience will be eased… Meanwhile, we are well aware of the situation in Russia. If you are a major businessman, like Levan Vasadze, for instance, it’s inevitable that such funds may finance wars. The church should take a stand against this,” expressed theologian Zurab Jashi.
The Patriarchate of Georgia appears to lack substantial interest in the source of funds used for constructing churches in various regions. Protoiereus Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Public Relations Service of the Patriarchate, mentioned that if the Patriarchate is not directly involved in the construction, they do not receive information about the donor. He also noted that it’s unfortunate for people to be stigmatized simply because they live in Russia.
“I believe there is a concerning trend in Georgia of stigmatizing individuals based on their residency in Russia. We tend to overlook the fact that there are up to a million Georgians living in Russia. Framing discussions in a way that implies these people should be collectively condemned only adds to the stigmatization and polarization within society. It’s regrettable that someone’s residence in Russia is deemed shameful. Why not inquire about Georgian businessmen working in Turkey or residing in some other country?”
