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NUMBER OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN GEORGIA REDUCES
ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: From over the 650 churches,
monasteries and chapels built in the Armenian-populated territories of
Georgia only some of them remained. An official from the CIS department
of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that currently 44
churches are standing in Georgia of which just 38 are functioning.
The greatest number of churches (14) is operating in Akhalkalak and
its regions. In Akhaltskha and its regions 9 churches are functioning,
in Tsalka and Ninotsminda 4 and in Borjomi 2 churches. In Aspindza,
Tetritskharo and Batumi only one church is functioning.
In the capital of Georgia Tbilisi only two churches are functioning -
St. Gevorg founded in 631 and St. Etchmiadzin founded in 1805.
Chairman of the "Javakhq" National Union Shirak Torosyan told
Armenpress that the state of Georgia must recognize the Georgian
Diocese of the Armenian Church that does not have legal status yet.
Only in that case it will be possible to direct the Armenian churches
that are being Georgianized in the territory of the whole Georgia.
"Previously the Georgian authorities were promising that the religions
of minorities would be granted legal status. Today it is already
clear that stubborn fight is expected for the Georgian Armenians,"
Torosyan said.
He also noted that the situation of churches in Javakhq is
comparatively consoling as about 20-30 churches have been restored
with the means of Javakhq businessmen. But there is another issue
there: as far as it is closely populated territory it must have a
separate diocese.
From: A. Papazian
ARMENPRESS
JANUARY 19, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS: From over the 650 churches,
monasteries and chapels built in the Armenian-populated territories of
Georgia only some of them remained. An official from the CIS department
of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that currently 44
churches are standing in Georgia of which just 38 are functioning.
The greatest number of churches (14) is operating in Akhalkalak and
its regions. In Akhaltskha and its regions 9 churches are functioning,
in Tsalka and Ninotsminda 4 and in Borjomi 2 churches. In Aspindza,
Tetritskharo and Batumi only one church is functioning.
In the capital of Georgia Tbilisi only two churches are functioning -
St. Gevorg founded in 631 and St. Etchmiadzin founded in 1805.
Chairman of the "Javakhq" National Union Shirak Torosyan told
Armenpress that the state of Georgia must recognize the Georgian
Diocese of the Armenian Church that does not have legal status yet.
Only in that case it will be possible to direct the Armenian churches
that are being Georgianized in the territory of the whole Georgia.
"Previously the Georgian authorities were promising that the religions
of minorities would be granted legal status. Today it is already
clear that stubborn fight is expected for the Georgian Armenians,"
Torosyan said.
He also noted that the situation of churches in Javakhq is
comparatively consoling as about 20-30 churches have been restored
with the means of Javakhq businessmen. But there is another issue
there: as far as it is closely populated territory it must have a
separate diocese.
From: A. Papazian