According to the Patriarchate, the letter from the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia raises misunderstandings.

"The letter of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia raises misunderstandings, because – a) the Russian Church recognizes the jurisdiction of the Georgian Church over the territory of the so-called South Ossetia; b) the Georgian Church, the Georgian state and the international community also recognize the internationally recognized borders of Georgia, and consider the administrations operating in the occupied territories as an occupation regime.

It is unfortunate that today, when every effort is being made to strengthen relations between the Orthodox Churches, the steps are being taken that negatively affect the current circumstances and complicate the situation," - the statement said.