25 November 2025

A movie about the path to independence of churches in Ukraine and Georgia was shown in Odesa

(Presentation of the movie. PHOTO: Kateryna Galenko, Intent)

The Odesa Regional Universal Scientific Library named after Mykhailo Hrushevsky hosted a screening of the film "Spiritual Struggle" directed by Nugzar Suaridze.

The film "Spiritual Struggle" tells the story of the path to independence of the churches of Ukraine and Georgia. The author delves into the centuries-old confrontation for the liberation of these churches from the influence of the Russian Church.

In the film, theologians and clergymen offer their views on Russian influence in the churches of Ukraine and Georgia.

The film also describes the assistance provided by Georgian Patriarch Leonid in 1919 to the Ukrainian autocephalists. The author delves into the factors that led to the fact that the current Georgian patriarchate does not recognize the autocephalous church of Ukraine.

The screening was followed by a discussion with the film's director Nugzar Suaridze, moderated by Valeriy Bolgan, editor-in-chief of Intent.

Nugzar Suaridze is an independent Georgian TV journalist. He came to Ukraine in 2022 to see the war, but created a film about another, no less critical battlefield: the centuries-old struggle for the independence of the churches of Ukraine and Georgia from Moscow's influence.

In particular, when asked whether something could change in the relations between Ukraine and Georgia before the change of power in Georgia, Nugzar replied that there is no such prospect yet.

The long interview with Nugzar Suaridze will soon be available on Intent's YouTube channel, and a shorter version will be available on our website.

Intent also made a selection of interviews with clergymen from southern Ukraine. The purpose of this series is to show the widest and most complete picture of religious life in the Odesa region.

Сергій Лозовський

You may also like:

Aug. 5, 2026

In Odesa, a contractor was selected to convert the high school's basement into a shelter without any competitors

Semen Kantor: "A museum should not be a political tool"

The director of a driving school in Odessa was sentenced for fraud involving a deceased employee

The Cost of the Blockade: How Much Ukraine Is Losing Due to Russian Attacks on Its Ports Advertisement

In Odesa, a city council official is facing trial for overcharging on a building renovation project

Odessa Plans to Revamp School Meal Program Amid Concerns

"Ukrainian Detox": Odessa, a City Where Hearts Are Broken

In the Odesa region, officials were unable to sell a barge for 15 million that had been protecting the port from Russian drones

The enemy struck a facility near Odesa; there is one fatality and several injured

In Odesa, the head of the district election commission was taken into custody

Mining giant halts production due to Russian attacks on ports in the Odesa region

In Odessa, a Russian agent who was passing on the coordinates of the TCC and military facilities was sent to a pretrial detention center

Aug. 4, 2026

In Odessa, a government official demanded $11,000 in exchange for disability benefits and a deferral

In Odesa, two former officials will stand trial for overpaying 12 million for beds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The court imposed a pretrial restriction on the shooter who fired at military personnel at the TSK in Odesa