news.am, Armenia
Nov 21 2009

Woeful fate of Armenian heritage in Georgia

17:48 / 11/19/2009The domed Saint Gevorg of Mughni Church in Tbilisi
(built 1356) collapsed yesterday night (Nov. 19) in the Old Tbilisi
part of the city, reads the release of Georgian eparchy of Armenian
Apostolic Church. The document mainly says:

`There was a large dome in the centre and three smaller one of which
was a belfry. The documents dated 1763 mention the church as one of
seven Armenian churches in Tbilisi of Armenian eparchy. In 1789, a
bell tower was constructed in the west wing of the church. Persians
plundered the church in 1795 however owing to monk-priest Grigor
Ter-Shmavoyan, some church utensils was saved. Partial renovation of
Mughni St. Gevorg took place in 1852-1993. Teacher and editor
Nikoghayos Khorotyan, benefactor Barsegh Hovsepyan-Khodjayants and
clergy were buried in the church yard.

Mother See of Holy Etchimadzin and Georgian eparchy of AAC have
repeatedly requested Georgian authorities, Patriarch’s office, and
international organizations to return the Mughni St. Gevorg church
along with other five Armenian churches. The problem has been
addressed by media however, Georgian leadership keep ignoring the
issue. Georgian Patriarch’s office presented an argument that it
considers the churches disputable and that is why they cannot be
returned. It should be mentioned that Mughni St. Gevorg is the second
church that has been demolished in Georgia, the first was destroyed in
1989.

We assert that Georgian Ministry of culture and heritage preservation
is totally responsible for the developments ` as churches were on the
ministerial balance. It seems Georgian Patriarchy and the authorities
decided to demolish the cultural monuments instead of considering the
issue of their preservation and return.’