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  • Vandalism And Misappropriation Of Armenian Churches In Georgia Goes

    VANDALISM AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN GEORGIA GOES ON

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    18.11.2008 GMT+04:00

    It actually turns out that Georgian Government pampers Georgian
    Orthodox Church (GOC) in their initiative to appropriate Armenian
    churches, believing that Armenians have nowhere to go. This position
    is dangerous and apparently leads to a deadlock.

    On November 16 Georgia once more committed vandalism towards the
    long-suffering Church of Norashen in Tbilisi. This time for infamous
    priest of the Georgian Orthodox Church Father Tariel Sikinchelashvili
    as an object of barbarity served the graves of Mikhail and Lydia
    Tamamshevs. The outraged mob of Tbilisi Armenians strongly demanded
    that gravestones be placed back, and a bitter quarrel began.

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ Father Tariel made harsh statements in response,
    stressing that "Armenians are inclined to capture what is not
    theirs". However, upon arrival of representatives of the Armenian
    Apostolic Church and Member of the Georgian Parliament, Armenian by
    nationality Van Bayburt, the Georgian monk tried to justify himself
    by saying that he had just moved the gravestones away to "clean under
    them". Hence, we wonder what he was going to clean there.

    The Church of Norashen was built in the middle of the 15th century. In
    30s of the 20th century together with other religious buildings
    the church was closed for religious activities and was transformed
    into a depository of books. However, after Georgia's independence,
    the Georgian Government did not return the church to its legal,
    historical owner but, instead, multiplied its actions aimed at
    appropriating Norashen.

    After two days of silence the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC)
    expressed its opinion on the act of sacrilege (Tariel's actions cannot
    be interpreted otherwise). Â"We strictly criticize the treatment of
    Georgian clergymen towards the Church of Norashen in Tbilisi. What is
    going on in the yard of the Armenian Church Norashen is disharmonious
    with the spirit of the centuries-old relations between the Republics
    of Georgia and Armenia. I am in no doubt that Hierarchy of the Georgian
    Orthodox Church (GOC) will take all the necessary steps for suppressing
    the actions of Father Tariel Sikinchelashvili, since they are not in
    agreement with the Christian spiritÂ", said Head of Holy Echmiadzin
    Press Office, Father Vahram Melikyan.

    Melikyan also noted that Georgian Eparchy of the AAC does not have a
    state status yet, and the Church of Norashen, in fact, does not belong
    to it. Â"All the Armenian churches in Georgia belong to the State,
    and it ill-treats them, certainly with the help of the GOC clergy.

    In a word, vandalism and misappropriation of Armenian churches in
    Georgia goes on, despite the agreement between the Prime-Ministers
    of both countries not to maltreat the Church of Norashen. For some
    reasons Tbilisi welcomes the existence of synagogues, catholic
    churches or mosques in its territory. Doesn't the reason lie in the
    belief that Armenia cannot spoil relations with Georgia as the latter
    is the only land road leading to the outer world? It actually turns
    out that Georgian Government pampers Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC),
    believing that Armenians have nowhere to go. This position is dangerous
    and apparently leads to a deadlock. May it be so that Georgia follows
    Azerbaijan's example, where misappropriation and demolition of Armenian
    monuments has become a norm? Everything is possible.

    Meanwhile the newspaper "Caucasus" of 1850 reports about
    consecration of the foundation of a newly reconstructed church
    in the Armenian cemetery. Here the original text follows: "On
    July 8 at 8:00 a.m. in the Armenian cemetery near the Moscow
    post, foundation of a new Armenian church was laid. It is said
    to be called after St. Peter. Titular Councellor David Tamamshev,
    initiator of this praiseworthy work, began the construction at his own
    expense. Honorable and dishonorable figures of the City of Tiflis all
    witnessed the ceremony. The Thanksgiving Service was paid by local
    Diocesan Archbishop Karapet, Archbishop Minas and other Armenian
    priests. Uttering a payer, His Grace washed the church stones and
    blessed all the four sides of the foundation. Afterwards, the chorus
    of priests performed a holy chant, while the stones were anointed
    crosswise. Veneration with which His Grace performed all this ceremony
    touched everyone present; at least I was deeply moved. Then, taking
    the pick, he dug 4 holes on each side of the foundation, putting
    there those stones wrapped into a cloth, which were dedicated to
    each Evangelist...".

    We do not know what family ties David Tamamshev had with the married
    couple buried in the churchyard of Norashen. But one thing is definite:
    God treats everyone in accordance with their actions, and Father Tariel
    will receive what he deserves. And lastly, here is the opinion of a
    true Georgian, Tbilisi resident Gel Vasadze, who is not indifferent
    towards what is going on in his country. "Norashen should be given to
    the Gregorian Church and it should be given by the State, which is
    the guarantor of rights and freedom of all the citizens of Georgia,
    irrespective of their nationality and religion. It should be handed
    over no matter who it was built by - Armenians or Georgians. Why
    should it matter? What matters now is that this step is necessary for
    us, ethnic Georgians because the future of our country lies in the
    diversity that now exists in Georgia, in Tbilisi, and in the Georgian
    market. By taking this step we would be able to conquer ourselves,
    we would be able to overcome our complexes. The other day, when I
    was in Tbilisi, I met Uncle Volodya (Vasadze's neighbour). He was
    too weakened because of his age. And I am heartily looking forward
    to the day when Norashen will again be functioning as a church and
    I will look into my old neighbour's eyes and admire the look in them".

    --Boundary_(ID_l526PxPjOTffYxMq2XGewA )--
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