December 13, 2008 - 14:16 AMT
There is no proof of Georgian churches existence in Armenian territory
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."