Head of Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan said that young people of Akhaltskha yielded to a planned provocation, taking misinformation on destruction of Surb Yerevman Church in all good faith.

“In 2009, the Georgian authorities transferred the Church and adjacent territories for the term of 99 years to the Catholic Church in Georgia, which is represented by Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, Apostolic Administrator of the Caucasus,” he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“As per relevant agreement, the Catholic Church is obliged to restore Surb Yerevman Church and facilitate the territory. This obligation’s fulfillment has become a reason for the fuss. However, Bishop Pasotto told us that the reconstruction works will be carried out in compliance with the restoration norms that naturally shall not cause a discontent,” the Archbishop noted.

Referring to researches by architecture historian Samvel Karapetyan, His Eminence Mirzakhanyan said that Surb Yerevman Armenian Church dating back to the 7th century was turned to a catholic church due to the efforts of French migrants in 1770. Besides, the Church was damaged during the Russian-Turkish war in 1828. Later, Surb Yerevman Church was reconstructed and served Armenians, who adopted Catholicism.