The controversy began when historian Samvel Karapetyan was quoted as saying he had suggested that the Catholicos allocate funds for repairing the Sanahin Monastery, a 10th century monastery located in Lori province and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La controversia empezó cuando citaron al historiador Samvel Karapetyan diciendo que sugería que el Catholicós destinara fondos para reparar el Monasterio Sanahin, un monasterio del siglo X ubicado en la provincia de Lori, y Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO.