ARMENIAN NA SPEAKER MEETS WITH CATHOLICOS GAREGIN II

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 28, 2006

YEREVAN, August 28. /ARKA/. Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran
Torosyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II discussed the
drafting of a bill on relations between the Armenian State and the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

The bill is being discussed on the basis of a relevant article of
the Armenian Constitution after it was amended.

Garegin II expressed hope that the drafting and adoption of the
bill will regulate relations between the Church and the State and
settle the issues related to state ceremonies with the participation
of high-ranking clergymen, spiritual education of society, use of
symbols of the Armenian Church.

In his turn, Speaker Torosyan pointed out the Armenian Church’s role
in the people’s spiritual life, as an integral and important part of
Armenian integrity. He pointed out the importance of adopting the bill
to resolve problems of improving social life during the post-Soviet
period and moral upbringing of society.

"Ensuring freedom of conscience and worship in our country and the
activities of religious organizations within law, we must distinguish
the Armenian Apostolic Church as an all-important element of the
national system of values," Torosyan said.

According to him, the bill is supposed to define the mission of the
Armenian Church.

The sided reached an arrangement about joint discussions of the bill.

According to Article 8.1 of the RA Constitution, the Republic of
Armenia recognizes an exceptional role of the Armenian Apostolic Church
as national Church in the Armenian people’s spiritual life, development
of national culture and preservation of national identity.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress