The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Post-Soviet Georgia: Challenges of Religious Diversity

Abstract

This article examines the multifaceted relationships between the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church and both the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Georgian state following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Based on legal analysis, political documents, assessments of existing realities, and in-depth interviews, the article analyzes how the state-building process in post-Soviet Georgia has affected religious minorities, particularly the Armenian diaspora. The research findings demonstrate that despite legislative steps toward expanding religious legitimation, significant challenges persist in practice regarding property issues, institutional equality, and interreligious relations. Special attention is devoted to the dynamics of relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and state institutions, including property disputes and legal status issues. The research analysis reveals that the constitutionally defined special role of the Georgian Orthodox Church significantly determines the institutional dynamics of the religious sphere and creates certain challenges for religious minorities. Simultaneously, the study notes that Georgia’s European integration process creates an additional institutional and legal context that may become the foundation for policy revision and gradual resolution of existing problems. The role of interreligious dialogue is also highlighted, with future work in this direction identified as a primary mechanism for problem-solving and cooperation. Within the framework of this research, in-depth interviews were conducted with Bishop Kirakos Davtian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church of Georgia, and Professor Sergo Vardosanidze, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Doctor of Theology, which helped the research achieve a more comprehensive analysis of both institutional and historical issues.