Scandal in Tbilisi: ‘We Will Not Recognize Etchmiadzin Church in Georgia’

A conference called “The Armenian Community in Tbilisi: Problems and Prospects” began early this week in Tbilisi and ended in a scandal.

The reason? A statement by Georgia’s Commission for Human Rights and Civic Integration Deputy Chair Elena Tevdoradze.

“In Georgia, we will never give official status to the Etchmiadzin church since the Armenian Apostolic Church which exists in our country is a so-called branch. I repeat, we will not recognize Etchmiadzin church in Georgia,” she said and left the room, reports Azatutyun Radio (RFE/RL Armenia branch).

This statement by Tevdoradze preceeded her dispute with the Vatican’s Ambassador to Georgia, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti. 

“Nowhere in the world have we come across such practice, when the state suggests to a traditional church to register as a club or non-governmental organization,” said the Catholic priest.

Also present during the discussion was head of the council on public education of Armenians of Tbilisi David Manusajev, who said: “Tevdoradze’s objections were absolutely meaningless, they weren’t organized. The Vatican’s Ambassador was forced to say to her, ‘you are protesting just to protest, without delving into the crux of the matter’.”

Neither the Armenian Apostolic Church nor the Catholic Church are officially registered in Georgia because the state refuses to give them the status of a religious institution, instead offering they register as NGOs.