Kurieri news of Rustavi2 (Georgian pro-governmental TV channel) showed footage from the scene where Armenian church Mughnu Surb Gevorg (Mughni) collapsed late at night on Nov. 19. The reporter said that the church collapsed in Sololaki [an Old Tbilisi part of the city]. The incident occurred late at night as the dome collapsed. No injuries have been reported only several cars parked nearby were damaged.

Kurieri reporter David Kashiashvili when asked what the reason of the incident was being present at the scene declared, “Locals say the church crumbled with age at about 4 a.m. Cars parked nearby and the roof of one house were damaged. Two families have applied to local Municipality about the housing issues.”

“What was the reason of collapse?…dilapidation?” — Kashiashvili asked a local. The answer was, “Yes, dilapidation.”

“The church did not function. It was a dangerous structure and the level of the existing threat of collapse will be examined. It is a monument thus, the decision should be made from the point of cultural heritage. But this is a fact that the church is under a threat of collapse,” said another local.

“According to a legend, it is here where Saint George’s hand is buried. The church was ancient. A historic monument has been this church on Akhospireli street that collapsed late at night. You have already heard that locals demand that the destroyed parts be demounted, although the ministry of culture is to decide on it. However, no representative of the ministry has arrived at the scene yet. Locals have collected signatures to demount the collapsed fractions,” Kurieri reporter goes on reminding the viewers of words that the locals have not said. And besides, not a single word was uttered about that the church was Armenian.

Thanks that at least a small piece in The Georgian Times daily says the church is Armenian. “Armenian church damaged in Tbilisi. A wall of an Armenian Church on Abo Tbileli Street, Sololaki District, Tbilisi, collapsed last night. The collapse damaged other nearby buildings, but luckily, no one has been injured. The Armenian Church was closed due to the critical state of the historic building. Locals say that the recent rains inflicted more damage on the church and the wall of the amortized building ruined as a result. District governor viewed the damaged building and promised the locals to allocate funds for rehabilitation works,” news dated Nov. 19 bears signature of Rustavi2. It is odd, isn't it?

NEWS.am correspondent made inquiries among Tbilisi citizens (among them Georgians and Amenians). They find it strange that the church — which is officially said to be a cultural monument — has been neglected, became dramatically ramshackle and — finally giving up the struggle with natural and manmade lesions — collapsed. The people are perplexed at the scene whereas tens of new Gergian churches are constantly built in the country. Contemplating these developments they come to conclusion that what is taking place with Armenian churches is a cynical crime against cultural and religious heritage of Georgia's ancienest population — the Armenian community. Armenians played a central role in cultural and historic aspects in what it became known as Tbilisi — but this is another story…

As NEWS.am informed early the Mother See of Holy Etchimadzin and Georgian eparchy of AAC have repeatedly requested Georgian authorities, Patriarch's office, and international organizations to return the Mughni St. Gevorg church along with other five Armenian churches. The problem has been addressed by media however, Georgian leadership keep ignoring the issue. Georgian Patriarch's office presented an argument that it considers the churches disputable and that is why they cannot be returned. It should be mentioned that Mughni St. Gevorg is the second church that has been demolished in Georgia, the first was destroyed in 1989.