Georgia, Tbilisi / Тrend corr N. Kirtskhalia / The Georgian Cathalikos Patriarch Iliya II called on the Georgian authorities to launch the immediate negotiations with the Turkish Government, on reconstruction of the Georgian churches in the territory of the country. He made the statement on 16 December. Due to the unfavourable climate in the historical Tao-Klarjeti (now belongs to Turkey), the dome of the ancient Geporgian Khandzta temple collapsed. It is a long time, the cloister requires restoration.
"It is the time for our authorities, the authorities of Georgia, to launch the negotiations with the Turkish Government on the restoration of our magnificent cloisters in Tao-Klarjeti. The Muslim divine service is freely performed in Georgia. Why can't the Georgian Orthodox service also be implemented in Turkey?" he said.
The Georgian experts are studying the state of the churches in Tao-Klarjeti and the restoration work will be launched in the near future through the funds that will be allocated by Georgia, the Georgian Culture and Sports Minister Giorgi Gabashvili said.