Georgian Patriarchate raises concerns over works at St George’s Church in historical Hereti

The Georgian Orthodox Church has raised concerns over ongoing works at the St George’s Church of Kurmukhi in historical Hereti, calling for official information about the nature and purpose of the work and measures taken to protect the site.

In a statement on Thursday, the Patriarchate said recent media reports and photo and video footage showing work inside and around the church were “concerning”.

Although the church is located on the territory of Azerbaijan, the Patriarchate described Kurmukhi St George’s as an important monument of Georgia’s historical and spiritual heritage.

The Church said the reports had prompted a strong reaction in Georgian society and expressed concern that the situation could negatively affect efforts to strengthen good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between Georgia and Azerbaijan.

The Patriarchate said particular attention should be paid to any intervention inside the church or on its surrounding grounds, citing questions over the purpose of the works and what it described as rehabilitation of a Georgian cultural heritage monument without consultation with the Georgian side.

It added that the Patriarchate had received no information about the works from the relevant Azerbaijani state authorities.

“At this stage, it is important to establish what kind of work is being carried out on the territory of the church, what research it is based on and who is conducting it, as well as how the protection of the Georgian cultural heritage monument is being ensured,” the statement said.

The Patriarchate called for the relevant Georgian state agencies to become involved urgently and respond within their areas of competence and existing international cooperation frameworks.

It also urged the authorities to obtain official information and facilitate the involvement of representatives of the Patriarchate and Georgian specialists in discussions concerning the site.

The Church said timely and coordinated cooperation was necessary to ensure the proper protection and preservation of Georgia’s spiritual and cultural heritage.