Red Gospel Church will soon collapse, Armenian community of Georgia warns

The Armenian community of Georgia warns that the church with the highest dome in Tbilisi, Shamkhoretsots Sourb Astvastatsin (The Church of the Red Gospel), will soon be inaccessible and surrounded by other buildings. The community is deeply concerned that no one is going to restore the church or return it to its owner until it finally collapses and resembles the Saint George of Mughni Church in Tbilisi, which was destroyed by heavy rains.

“In 2016, the construction of a high-rise hotel began five meters away from the eastern wall of the church, a move that caused great discontent among the public. Unfortunately, the people’s concerns and discontent did not produce the desired result. A hotel was built, which, in addition to damaging the foundation of the church, became a serious threat to the remains of the historical and cultural landmark that lost its architectural value due to the hotel’s construction,” the community noted.

It is noted that in late 2023, a sign was posted in the parking lot adjacent to the church stating that the lot was for sale, which suggests that the church may no longer be accessible to the public in the near future.

“After a Sunday liturgy in 2018, a group of believers of Ejmiatsin Church in the Avlabari district marched peacefully to the Church of the Red Gospel, with a candlelight and prayer being organized near the church wall. Unfortunately, it should be noted that today this wall is also inaccessible: on one side, it is the hotel security room; on the other side, it is probably the parking lot of the same hotel, with the fir trees planted along the wall growing tall and wide.

We call on all those who are responsible for this matter to pay attention before it is too late,” the community added.

The community expressed hope that the government of Georgia will show the right attitude toward historical and cultural heritage.