Georgian policy against Armenian churches grows more aggressive

PanARMENIAN.Net - The latest incident in St. Norashen Church in Tbilisi is the continuation of Georgian policy of demolition of Armenian churches, an Armenian expert said.



"If preventive measures are not taken, we will lose out cultural heritage in Georgia soon," Haykaz Alvrtsyan told a news conference today. "Unfortunately, neither the Armenian government nor Holy Echmiadzin developed a precise position on the issue," he said.



"We just react to what is happening but we have to understand that the Armenian community can't solve the problem without assistance of the Armenian authorities. We must assume a tough position, not fearing of consequences," Alvrtsyan said.



On November 16, Georgian monk Tariel Sikinchelashvili instructed workers to raze to the ground the graves of Mikhail and Lidia Tamamshev.



This barbarian act outraged Armenians, who demanded to let the graves in their place. However, Father Tariel gave a harsh response.



Upon arrival of representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church and parliament member Van Bayburt, the Georgian monk said he just wanted to replace the gravestones to "clean under them."