ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH HAS NOT DISCUSSED ISSUE OF CHURCH EXCHANGE
WITH GEORGIAN CHURCH

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Apostolic Church has never
discussed the issue of church exchange with Georgia, Director of
Information Services of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, priest
Ter-Vahan Melikian stated in response to Noyan Tapan correspondent’s
question about the news of the Trend Azerbaijani information agency,
which referring to a Georgian source reported that it is envisaged to
exchange Georgian and Armenian churches.

"No exchange of churches can be spoken about and the statement spread
by the unnamed Georgian source is false and provocative," priest
Melikian added.

According to the Azerbaijani source, during the visit to Georgia of
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II it is envisaged to sign an
agreement, according to which 10 churches will be given to the Armenian
side, 7 out of which are in Tbilisi, and Georgia will receive 7
churches in Armenia instead.

Priest Ter-Vahan Melikian also said that the issue of status of
Georgian Armenian Diocese has been raised by the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, as the churches in Georgia, with the exception of the
Georgian Church, are not registered and have no status. Another issue
raised before the Georgian authorities is return of six historic
Armenian churches to the Georgian Armenian Diocese.