Georgian religious leadership and Georgian state bodies responsible for preservation of monuments are planning to knock down Sourb Khack (Sat. Cross), a 7th century Armenian church in Akhaltshkha, Georgia, and replace it by a Georgian catholic church. A number of experts and workers have arrived at the site.

According to the Armenian priest in Akhaltshkha Ter Manouk Zeinalian, to the locals’ efforts at explaining that it’s an Armenian church and that no one has a right to ruin it, workers answer that they do not know anything and are just following orders. Father Zeinalian testifies that: “One of the altars has been destroyed and 4 stones with Armenian inscriptions have been unearthed from underneath. One of the stones has disappeared. One of the arches has been destroyed too. Armenians of Akhaltskha are demanding to stop the process. It’s an Armenian church and belongs to Armenians. ”

Leader of the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanian is visiting Akhaltskha to discuss the issue.

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