Georgian priest is ready to accept Azerbaijani citizenship

The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in connection with the refusal to let the territory of Azerbaijan Kakh primate of the Church of St. George Demetre Tetrashvili. "On June 21 the Primate of the Church of St. George in Gakh region of Azerbaijan father Demetre (Tetruashvili) when returning from the border crossing at Lagodekhi-Belakany) Border Service of Azerbaijan were denied entry into the country.   Embassy of Georgia to the online contacted  the relevant structures of Azerbaijan. According to the Azerbaijani side, under the local law, the right to the priesthood in Azerbaijan have only the citizens of Azerbaijan, and this was the reason for the refusal of the Georgian clergy admission to the territory of the country," the report says.   

The Patriarchate of Georgia agrees that the Primate of the Church specified the nationality of Azerbaijan and conducted its activities in the country within the framework of local laws, so that the church of St. George is not left without the primate,  notes  the  statement.    Within a few years the Azerbaijani side has made an exception for the Georgian Orthodox Church, although religious leaders of other faiths are citizens of Azerbaijan.

"At the request of the Georgian side, to June 1, 2015 the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly postponed the requirement for the Georgian side on the implementation of the Act. After the expiry of the  date Azerbaijani side demanded to prepare the relevant documentation to the Georgian priest  so that  the clergy could serve  at the territory of Azerbaijan in accordance with Azerbaijani legislation," said  the statement  of the Foreign Ministry of Georgia.

Gakh, Zagatala and Balakan regions of Azerbaijan  are densely populated with several thousand Georgians. Part of them  are Muslims (Ingiloys), and part are orthodox. -02D-