Georgian Orthodox Church requests modification of Stalin icon

The Georgian Orthodox Church has requested changes to be made to an icon depicting Soviet leader Joseph Stalin that is displayed in a cathedral in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The icon portrays scenes from the life of St Matrona of Moscow, a Russian visionary and healer from the 20th century. However, the depiction depicts the Russian Orthodox saint blessing Stalin. The Patriarchate of Georgia has argued that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the saint and Stalin ever met, therefore changes need to be made to the icon. The Church has called upon the donors of the icon to make the necessary modifications, warning that they will intervene if needed. The controversial icon, which was gifted to the cathedral by the pro-Russian political party, the Alliance of Patriots, gained attention after former politician Giorgi Kandelaki protested against what he believed was an attempt to portray Stalin in a positive light. Another activist recently sprayed paint on the icon, expressing her opposition to what she perceived as the glorification of a tyrant. She claimed that her actions were in response to the suffering her family endured under Stalin's regime. The Patriarchate of Georgia defended the use of icons in depicting real stories related to the lives of saints, including interactions with rulers and ordinary individuals, but clarified that this did not necessarily glorify these figures. Joseph Stalin has a complex legacy in Georgia, as he was born in the country and rose to power in the Soviet Union, where he implemented severe authoritarian measures and caused the death of millions of people. While many Georgians reject the Soviet Union's legacy, some still show pride in Stalin's rise to power and credited him for leading the USSR to victory over Nazi Germany.