Kurmuk:The ongoing disputes surrounding the Kurmuk temple have brought to light cultural, religious, political, and ethnic disagreements between Gregorian Armenians, Orthodox Georgians, and Azerbaijan. The Kurmuk temple, located in Azerbaijan's Gakh district near the Kurmuk River, dates back to the period of Caucasian Albania around the 1st-3rd centuries.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the current structure, known as the 'Church of St. George,' was built in 1892-1894 during Tsarist Russia's reign over the remains of the ancient temple. The site is a pilgrimage destination for both Muslims and Christians, where Kurmukoba ceremonies occur in May and November.

The Albanian Apostolic Church, officially abolished in 1836 by Tsarist Russia, saw its properties transferred to the Armenian Gregorian Church. Subsequently, Tsarist Russia sought to establish a loyal Orthodox community, leading to the construction of Orthodox churches over the ruins of Albanian ones, including Kurmuk. This transformation is connected to historical resistance by figures such as the 'Black Priest,' who opposed the subordination of the Kurmuk temple to the Gregorian Church.

The temple's recent restoration and archaeological research plans, set to commence in October 2026, have sparked controversy. The Georgian Patriarchate expressed concerns about works at the 'Kurmuk-St. George' church, despite acknowledging its location in Azerbaijan. The Patriarchate calls for involvement in the process, claiming it as part of Georgia's spiritual heritage.

In response, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Georgian Patriarchate's stance, emphasizing respect for territorial integrity and highlighting Azerbaijan's previous support to Georgia. The Ministry asserts that the monument falls under Azerbaijani jurisdiction and decisions about it are their sovereign right.

The dispute over Kurmuk is part of a broader historical narrative involving claims to Caucasian Albanian heritage. The upcoming archaeological research aims to clarify the historical layers of the Kurmuk church, potentially challenging the depiction of it as an exclusively Orthodox Georgian site and acknowledging the broader Christian heritage of the region.