![[Flag]](../images/g/ge_abhma.gif)
Last modified: 2022-11-05 by ian macdonald
Keywords: holy metropolis of abkhazia |
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image by Valentin Poposki, 18
July 2021
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Tomislav Šipek, 16 July 2019
The Orthodox Church in Abkhazia, officially Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia, got
a new flag and coat of arms, created by Akhra Smyr and realized by Georgy
Zakhartsev. The new symbols were presented on 08.07.2017, during the evening
dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the new autocephaly of
the Abkhaz Church.
https://anyha.org/apsny-amitropolia-psja-asymbolkwa/
Flag: Heraldic
description:
The flag is a rectangular cloth consisting of two equal vertical
stripes: white at the pole edge, and blue at the free edge. In the center of the
flag there is an image of a four-pointed white Byzantine cross with a blue
edging. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 1: 2.
Explanation of the symbolism:
Two vertical stripes symbolize the holy
apostles Andrew the First-Called and Simon the Canaanite, who brought the good
news to Abkhazia. The white color symbolizes Abkhazia, blue color - the sea
through which the Apostles got to Abkhazia. The position and shape of the cross
symbolize the connection of Abkhazia with the entire Christian world and the
special role of Rome / Byzantium in the formation of the Christian Church in
Abkhazia.
Valentin Poposki, 18 July 2021
It looks like the "Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia" is actually a dissident
movement within the already established Abkhazian Orthodox Church, which itself
declared its separation from the Georgian Orthodox Church in 2009 (it is also
not recognized by any other Orthodox Church [besides the Russian one?]). Like
all things related to Abkhazia there multiple sides. This is the 'state church'
of the Republic of Abkhazia and it has its own flag since at least 2012. Of
course the former head of the Sukhumi-Abkhazian Eparchy of the Georgian Orthodox
Church (Daniel Datuashvili, from 2010 Ilia Shiolashvili) is in exile in Georgia.
The "head" of 'Holy Metropolis of Abkhazia' Archimandrite Dorotheos was actually
suspended by the Bishop of Maikop and Adygea Tikhon of the Russian Orthodox
Church in 2011 for his actions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorotheos_Dbar
The Abkhazian Orthodox
Church
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abkhazian_Orthodox_Church
"On 15
September 2009 the leadership of the Sukhumi-Abkhazian Eparchy, against the
authority of Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia, declared that it no
longer considered itself part of the Georgian Orthodox Church, and that it was
re-establishing the Catholicate of Abkhazia, and that it would henceforth be
known as the Abkhazian Orthodox Church.
Its leader Vissarion Aplia asked
both the Russian and Georgian Orthodox churches to recognize the "Abkhazian
Orthodox Church". A spokesman for the Georgian patriarchate said the decision to
separate from the Georgian Orthodox Church was taken by a "group of impostors",
while the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed that it continued to view Abkhazia
as the canonical territory of the Georgian Church.[5][6]
On 9 February
2011, the Abkhazian government transferred 38 churches, cathedrals and
monasteries perpetually into the care of the Abkhazian Orthodox Church.
Hierarchy
Vissarion Aplaa is the Primate of the Abkhazian Orthodox Church
since 2009 and is the self-proclaimed catholicos of the Abkhazian Orthodox
Church.[8] The Pitsunda Cathedral is the church's chief cathedral and the seat
of its primate.
The Church is presently organised into two eparchies, one
in Pitsunda and another in Sukhumi. The Church has nine parishes. It also has
two monasteries, the New Athos Monastery and the Kaman Monastery. "
Ben
Cahoon, 19 July 2021
![[Flag]](../images/g/ge_abhma).gif)
image by Valentin Poposki, 18
July 2021
Coat of arms: Heraldic description:
A quadrangular shield with a
round base, four-part beveled in the shape of the St. Andrew's cross. The first
and fourth fields of the shield are azure, the second and third are silver. In
the place of honor in the first field of the shield there is a silver Byzantine
cross. In the second and third fields, there are three water carriers: two and
one, one and two. On the fourth field, in the belly of the shield, is a silver
ship under full sails. The shield is framed with a golden olive wreath.
Explanation of symbolism:
Silver (white) symbolizes Abkhazia, azure (blue) -
the sea through which the Apostles got to Abkhazia. The cross in the place of
honor symbolizes the unity of Abkhazia with the entire Christian world. The
cross section of the shield in the shape of the St.Andrew's cross symbolizes the
evangelist of Abkhazia, the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, in whose name
the Patriarchal Cathedral in Pitsunda was consecrated. Six waterpots symbolize
the connection with the holy Apostle Simon of Cana of Galilee, where the miracle
of transforming water into wine in six vessels took place. The Roman ship
symbolizes the way of penetration and establishment of Christianity in Abkhazia.
The golden olive wreath symbolizes the peace, prosperity and prosperity of
Christianity in Abkhazia.
Valentin Poposki, 18
July 2021
