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GEORGIAN PATRIARCH CHIDES ARMENIAN COUNTERPART
news.az
June 20 2011
Azerbaijan
The ownership of churches remains at the centre of a long-running
dispute between the Armenian Apostolic and Georgian Orthodox churches.
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has said that the Georgian
Church is "open to everyone but it will not allow suppression of the
Georgian people and state", PanARMENIAN.Net reported.
His comments came shortly after the visit to Georgia of Garegin II,
patriarch and catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The two church leaders discussed a number of contentious issues,
including legal status for the Armenian church in Georgia and the
ownership of church buildings in Georgia and Armenia.
Commenting on the visit, Ilia II said that "Garegin II is young and
should gain more experience."
"He is smart and in a hurry, but I told him that calmness is the best
choice," the Georgian patriarch said.
"Armenians want more Armenian churches in Georgia and, in response,
we suggested opening more Georgian ones in Armenia. We also agreed
that our future cooperation will be more effective," Ilia continued.
Under an agreement reached by the two spiritual leaders in Tbilisi,
the Armenian and Georgian churches will form committees to settle
outstanding issues between them.
Ilia II turned 78 this year, while 2011 sees Garegin's 60th birthday.
news.az
June 20 2011
Azerbaijan
The ownership of churches remains at the centre of a long-running
dispute between the Armenian Apostolic and Georgian Orthodox churches.
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has said that the Georgian
Church is "open to everyone but it will not allow suppression of the
Georgian people and state", PanARMENIAN.Net reported.
His comments came shortly after the visit to Georgia of Garegin II,
patriarch and catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The two church leaders discussed a number of contentious issues,
including legal status for the Armenian church in Georgia and the
ownership of church buildings in Georgia and Armenia.
Commenting on the visit, Ilia II said that "Garegin II is young and
should gain more experience."
"He is smart and in a hurry, but I told him that calmness is the best
choice," the Georgian patriarch said.
"Armenians want more Armenian churches in Georgia and, in response,
we suggested opening more Georgian ones in Armenia. We also agreed
that our future cooperation will be more effective," Ilia continued.
Under an agreement reached by the two spiritual leaders in Tbilisi,
the Armenian and Georgian churches will form committees to settle
outstanding issues between them.
Ilia II turned 78 this year, while 2011 sees Garegin's 60th birthday.