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CLERGYMAN CONSIDERS "INADMISSIBLE" PERFORMANCES WITH MOCKING CONTENTS CONCERNING CHURCH OR ITS SERVICEMEN
Noyan Tapan
Dec 08 2006
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The meeting taken place at the
"Hayeli" debate club on December 7 was dedicated to discussion of the
issue of making the Armenian Apostolic Church and church servicemen
subject of laugh or joke during TV programs and stories. Priest
Ter Hakob Khachatrian, writer Violet Grigorian, French-Armenian
doctor-psychologist Hovhannes Rasho Hovhannisian, actor Hovhannes
Babakhanian participated in the discussion. As priest Ter Hakob
Khachatrian mentioned it is inadmissible when roles presenting persons
of church servicemen as well as clergyman's clothes are used for
this or that comic or funny story and program. "Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenian has persuaded and asked many times that clergyman's
clothes are not used and their service is not distorted," the priest
mentioned. In words of Ter Hakob, every word, story, program having
mocking contents concerning the church and its serviceman, or any film
distorting evangelic truths "is a stone of temptation for those who are
just now on the way of finding the God." In his words, before preparing
those programs, it would be better to consult with church servicemen
to observe the rules of propriety and respect. Poet Violet Grigorian,
opposing words of Ter Hakob, stated that this conversation contains
signs of censorship and limits the freedom of expression. In her words,
the church, first of all, protects its interests with it. The poet
also mentioned that she did not see that the church, at least once,
protected publicly a poor person being a laughing-stock. "Why didn't
the church protect the same people who were beaten by the authorities
at night, April 12 (after the 2004 opposition rally - NT), where was
the church," she said. In V.Grigorian's words, clergymen very often
distort the history and role of the church just themselves. "We may
criticize even oligarches for their property or behaviour, but to speak
about the church is a close theme, taboo," the writer is sure. And
actor Hovhannes Babakhanian is sure that there was no possibility
for a long time to get to know both church and Christian traditions:
"Today we already have that possibility and must learn the missed
one and made us firmer in belief as that force supports everybody."
Noyan Tapan
Dec 08 2006
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The meeting taken place at the
"Hayeli" debate club on December 7 was dedicated to discussion of the
issue of making the Armenian Apostolic Church and church servicemen
subject of laugh or joke during TV programs and stories. Priest
Ter Hakob Khachatrian, writer Violet Grigorian, French-Armenian
doctor-psychologist Hovhannes Rasho Hovhannisian, actor Hovhannes
Babakhanian participated in the discussion. As priest Ter Hakob
Khachatrian mentioned it is inadmissible when roles presenting persons
of church servicemen as well as clergyman's clothes are used for
this or that comic or funny story and program. "Karekin II Catholicos
of All Armenian has persuaded and asked many times that clergyman's
clothes are not used and their service is not distorted," the priest
mentioned. In words of Ter Hakob, every word, story, program having
mocking contents concerning the church and its serviceman, or any film
distorting evangelic truths "is a stone of temptation for those who are
just now on the way of finding the God." In his words, before preparing
those programs, it would be better to consult with church servicemen
to observe the rules of propriety and respect. Poet Violet Grigorian,
opposing words of Ter Hakob, stated that this conversation contains
signs of censorship and limits the freedom of expression. In her words,
the church, first of all, protects its interests with it. The poet
also mentioned that she did not see that the church, at least once,
protected publicly a poor person being a laughing-stock. "Why didn't
the church protect the same people who were beaten by the authorities
at night, April 12 (after the 2004 opposition rally - NT), where was
the church," she said. In V.Grigorian's words, clergymen very often
distort the history and role of the church just themselves. "We may
criticize even oligarches for their property or behaviour, but to speak
about the church is a close theme, taboo," the writer is sure. And
actor Hovhannes Babakhanian is sure that there was no possibility
for a long time to get to know both church and Christian traditions:
"Today we already have that possibility and must learn the missed
one and made us firmer in belief as that force supports everybody."