PanARMENIAN.Net

There is no proof of Georgian churches existence in Armenian territory
13.12.2008 14:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The action of some Georgian activists, who describe
themselves as the Christian Democratic Movement of Georgia, had a
purpose to vex Armenians because of the problems with Norashen
Armenian church, father Narek Ghuschyan of St. Gevorg church in
Tbilisi, told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Three years ago these people laid similar claims but they did not
address either legal scholars or state figures. Georgia pretends to
the church in Akhtal. However, the orthodox churches in Lori and
Tashir but they were built by Armenians, who adopted orthodoxy,
Chalcedonians. We do not mind presence of the Georgian Orthodox Church
in Armenia, as the Armenian Apostolic Church has its diocese in
Georgia. However, it is not a matter of parity. The Georgian side has
not produced any proof of existence of Georgian churches in the
Armenian territory," he said.

On December 11, some 10 representatives of the Christian Democratic
Movement of Georgia held a rally in front of the Armenian to demand
‘return’ of Georgian churches in Armenia.

"A dozen of Georgian monasteries are situated in the territory of
Armenia, in Lore-Tashir. Unfortunately, they have been robbed, what
proves that they belong to the Georgian Orthodox Church," said Giorgi
Andriadze. "The Georgian Patriarchate did not deliberately raise the
issue to avoid tensions and maintain the status quo. However, the
Armenian side aggravates contradictions. So, we can nothing but demand
return of our churches."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress