ECHMIADZIN. - In response to the demand of Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) to grant Armenian historical churches, which were under Georgian diocese, the Georgian church, following the logic of market relations, put forward its claims on several churches in Armenia calling them Georgian. Moreover, Georgian side demanded to build Georgian church in Armenia, Archbishop of Holy Echmiazdin Arshak Khachatryan told at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Number of Georgians living in Armenia is700-800 compared to 250,000 Armenians in Georgia. Besides, there is a Georgian church in Yerevan. At the same time, Georgian side does not cooperate on this issue,” Archbishop told.

Georgian church demands to register legally Georgian Orthodox church without having large population of Georgians in Armenia. Armenian Apostolic Church does not oppose this as it does not confront Armenia’s legislation. AAC, however, demands Georgia to grant legal status to Armenian churches of Georgian diocese to hold liturgy for the church visitors.

The Georgians also offered to form two-sided commission on differentiating belongings of churches.

“Armenian side doe not oppose the idea of commission. However, it should not have the goal of stretching time or carry official character,” chairman of the Armenian Bible Society, Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan told.

He added that it would be better to collect and present documents that will prove what churches or temples are Georgian in the territory of Armenia and then, if necessary, commission will be formed.