Armenia-Georgia tensions over near-border churches

The status of five churches located on Armenian-Georgian borders caused tensions between the two countries, Armenia’s Lragir newspaper reported.

The newspaper said Tbilisi demanded official status for five near-border churches – Akhtala, Kobair, Khnevank, Khuchar and Kirans. Armenian Apostolic church agreed with the claims about the Georgian church’s status, but opposes the Georgian control over these churches.

Armenian church said these monasteries were worshipped as the Georgian church in 11-12th centuries, but as they were built as an apostolic church, they have to remain under the Armenian control.

Echmiadzin’s spokesperson Vagram said totally 600 Georgians live in Armenia and it is injustice to give these churches to Georgians.


/APA/