Norashen Church should be returned to legal owner

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.