Legal and Cooperation Department - Director Mikael Avagyan

The Legal and Cooperation Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia addresses current legal matters related to the activities of the Diocese, as well as its relations with state bodies, non-governmental and international organizations, and diplomatic missions accredited in Georgia.

The main general issues on the agenda of this department are to transfer in accordance with the restitution law or compensate for the Armenian churches that existed in Georgia before the establishment of the Soviet regime but are no longer in operation, have fallen into ruins, have been replaced by other buildings, or have been Georgianized, issues related to the return of churches and other church property confiscated from the Diocese during the Soviet period to their rightful owners, as well as the establishment of equal relations between Georgian state bodies and the Diocese, based on the principle of proportionality.

The head of the department supervises the restoration of the Armenian churches of Norashen, Surb Nshan, and Surb Minas, as well as the conservation of Shamkhoretsots Surb Astvatsatsin and Mughnetsots Surb Gevorg churches, which were confiscated from the Diocese during the Soviet period.

In addition, the department's responsibilities include presenting and defining the Diocese's position in the Council of Religions under the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Council of Religions under the Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia, as well as managing relations with the interdepartmental government commission tasked with studying specific issues related to religious organizations.

In parallel, the department is working towards the consolidation and development of the Armenian community in Georgia. With the help of volunteers, a census of the Armenian population in Georgia was organized within the Diocese. Additionally, with the participation of about two dozen young people, a database of the Armenian population across Georgia was created through the registration of newly identified Armenians and the collection of their data. It is a census of the Armenian population, providing an accurate picture of Armenians both in Tbilisi and throughout Georgia. This approach, of course, contributes to the concentration of Armenians around the Armenian Church.

The following services are provided within the framework of the Legal and Cooperation Department:

1. Social Service
   a. Aid
   b. Prisons – Head: Rev. Father Husik Harutyunyan
   c. Hospitals
   d. Vulnerable Groups
   e. Hospitality
   f. Ceremonial Procedures

Mikael Avagyan  was born on January 24, 1979, in Tbilisi. A lawyer by profession, he has worked at the Armenian Embassy in Georgia as a referent, assistant, and advisor to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. An active public figure, he heads the "SHEN" public organization. He was also a member of the "Free Democrats" political party and its board.

He is fluent in Armenian, Russian, and Georgian, and has basic knowledge of English.

Married.

Residence: Tbilisi and Batumi.

Phone: 577 43 79 12