Russia Armenians willing to sponsor renovation of damaged church in Tbilisi

Russia-based Samtskhe-Javakheti Armenians have expressed willingness to sponsor the renovation of the Tbilisi-based Armenian church Saint Nshan that was partially destroyed because of the fire recently.

In a statement issued late on Thursday, the non-governmental organization, called the Diaspora of Javakhk, said it would do so, if the Georgian authorities legally hand the church to the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Church.

The NGO also expressed concern about the fact that currently there are only two Armenian churches operational in Georgia’s territory, whereas that number was 29 in the 19th century.

The statement also reminded that this is the second time that the church has caught a fire, following the first one in 2002.

The organization also said that the Russia-based Samtskhe-Javakheti Armenians demand opening a criminal case to find the perpetrators and make them compensate the damage.

They also called on Georgia to comply with the international standards it has assumed over the rights of ethnic minorities living in its territories.