The Catholicos of All Armenians Received Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia
18.07.2023
On July 18, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received Mr. Zaza Vashakmadze, President of the State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia, accompanied by Mr. Vardan Astsatryan, Head of the Department of National Minorities and Religious Issues of the Government of the Republic of Armenia.
The meeting was attended by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to Armenia Mr. Giorgi Sharvashidze.
His Holiness highlighted the importance of such mutual visits between the two countries, which contribute to the further strengthening and development of Armenian-Georgian friendly ties. His Holiness conveyed his appreciation to the Georgian authorities for the support shown towards Armenia in the difficult situation, as well as for the mediation efforts for the return of the Armenian captives of war held in Azerbaijan.
In turn, the Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia conveyed detailed information to the Patriarch of All Armenians about the religious landscape in the country and the state policy towards religious organizations and traditional churches. In his remarks, Mr. Zaza Vashakmadze also referred to the cooperation formed with the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.
During the conversation, issues related to the preservation of spiritual heritage in Georgia, relations between the Armenian and Georgian Churches and further strengthening of Armenian-Georgian ties were discussed.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also conveyed his Pontifical greetings and best wishes to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.
