April 24, 2005 - 08:50 AMT
TRANSBAIKALIA PRIESTS REFUSED TO PRAY FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS
Armenians of Chita region of Russia commemorated the victims of the Armenian Genocide today, reported the Yerkramas newspaper of Armenians of Russia. Some 150 representatives of the Armenian Diaspora of Transbaikalia lit candles in the memory of the victims in the Cathedral of Kazan icon of the Blessed Virgin. In the words of the Diaspora leader Vladimir Markosian, Transbaikalia priests of the Russian Orthodox Church have refused to chant a liturgy in the memory of the victims referring to discord between the Armenian and Russian Churches. The mourning procession of Transbaikalia Armenians finished with a funeral repast in Ani café.