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Norashen Church Should Be Returned To Legal Owner

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  • Norashen Church Should Be Returned To Legal Owner

    NORASHEN CHURCH SHOULD BE RETURNED TO LEGAL OWNER

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    20.05.2008 15:36 GMT+04:00

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Construction works in Norashen Church yard were
    suspended on May18, after interference of the Armenian community of
    Georgia, said chairman of the Georgian Armenian Center for Cooperation
    (GACC).

    However, the issue is still unclear. Since proclamation of
    independence, the Georgian authorities have kept on promising
    the Armenian community to adopt a law on religions. Religious
    organizations, with exception for the Georgian Orthodox Church,
    can be registered as non-governmental or public organizations. Thus,
    the GOC is the only church operating in Georgia. It hasn't been legal
    implemented yet but I think this will happen in the near future,"
    Karen Elchyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

    "If the Georgian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church
    take no action against 'Georgification' if the Armenian churches,
    the GACC will act under the circumstances," Elchyan said, refraining
    from going into detail.

    "There are 6 Armenian churches in Tbilisi. Two of them - Saint Georg
    Church and Blessed Virgin Church in Havlabar - are operating. If we
    uphold Norashen, we will have three acting churches" he said.

    Last week, the Georgian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church
    expressed indignation at the encroachment on Saint Norashen Church
    and its surroundings instigated by Father Tariel Sikinchelashvili of
    the Georgian Orthodox Church.

    Saint Norashen Church was built in the middle of 15th century. In
    1930-ies along with other places of worship, it was closed and used
    as a book depository.

    After restoration of state independence, the Georgian government did
    not return the Church to its legal historical owner.

    During the recent several days a brigade of workers has been building
    an iron fence with depiction of religious elements typical for the
    Georgian Orthodox Church. The

    Armenian Diocese views the act as violation of the agreement to find
    a civilized solution to the problem of belonging of Saint Norashen
    and four other churches in Tbilisi.

    Meanwhile, Father Tariel informed that in the near future he plans
    to start "reconstruction works" within the church for holding divine
    services by Georgian clergy.

    The AAC Georgian Diocese called the Patriarchy of the Georgian Orthodox
    Church to take action to prevent infringement of constitutional
    rights and to observe the agreement, violation of which can bring to
    irreparable injury.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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