December 8, 2008 - 19:06 AMT
Georgian Orthodox Church denies religious discrimination of Armenian population
The Georgian Patriarchate denies religious discrimination of Armenian population in Georgia.
"The Georgian Patriarchate regrets Armenian and international media reports about religious discrimination of Armenian population. A numerous Armenian community lives and develops in Georgia; there are centers of Armenian culture, schools and newspapers," says a statement issued on December 8.
"The Patriarchate confirms respect to the Armenian people. Our nations have always lived side by side despite ambiguities that emerged from time to time due to insufficient demonstration of prescience and wisdom," it says.
"It's well known that Georgian and Armenian churches differ on belonging of the historical religious monument, what Armenians call Norashen. A commission consisting of professional experts will be formed to deal with the issue," the statement says, Georgia Online reports.