Information about transfer of Norashen Armenian church to GOC is canard of Russian media, Baku says

PanARMENIAN.Net - The information about transfer of Norashen Armenian church under the jurisdiction f the Georgian Orthodox Church is a "provocation of Russian media," Azeri political scientist Rasim Musabekov.



"It was supposed that 'indignant' Armenians will prefer pro-Russian candidates to Saakashvili's team during the parliamentary elections," he said.



"The current Armenia-Georgia relations can be described as 'better a bad peace than a good quarrel', because Georgia experiences problems in normalizing relations with neighbors and opposition with Armenia will result in a new wave of Javakhetians' autonomy claims. On the other hand, Armenia's only outlet to the sea lies through Georgia. Complete isolation would be a calamity for it. So, despite Kremlin's instigations, Armenia will not strain relations with official Tbilisi," Musabekov concluded, 1news.az reports.



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.