ETCHMIADZIN. – There were more than 1,000 Armenian churches, 90 diocese and over 5,000 clergymen in the Ottoman Empire before the Armenian Genocide, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II told foreign journalist who are participating in Yerevan-hosted media forum.

Today there are not more than 40 churches in Turkey, His Holiness said.

Forgiveness is given to someone who realizes his guilt, Cathilicos of All Armenians said speaking about Turkey.

Responding to a Kuwaiti reporter's question why not to start a new chapter in relations between Armenia and Turkey, given that Jesus Christ preached forgiveness, His Holiness Karekin II said: “Yes, Christ is preached forgiveness. But even God is not able to forgive the one who does not realize his guilt, because it would mean that God limits the freedom of a person.”