DRAFT "ON RELATIONS OF RA AND ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC SURB CHURCH" DISCUSSED IN FIRST READING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 05 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA National Assembly discussed
in the first reading on December 4 the draft law "On Relations of the
RA and Armenian Apostolic Surb (Holy) Church." The latter’s working
out arises of the constitutional amendments adopted in 2005. In words
of Tigran Torosian, the author of the draft, NA Speaker, it is not
aimed to reduction of rights and freedom of activity of religious
organizations acting according to the order fixed in the RA by the
law, but it regulates special relations of the Armenian Apostolic
Surb Church, having almost 2000-year history and being an important
and inseparable part of the Armenian people’s national identity,
and the RA. The draft, particularly, regulates issues connected with
the role of the church in spheres of spiritual, historic, cultural
heritage, education. According to it, the church may found or sponsor,
within the framework of the RA legislation, kindergartens, educational
institutions, decide the content of the "History of Armenian Church"
subject at state comprehensive schools, organize free-will educational
courses at state higher and comprehensive educational institutions. The
draft also envisages that the RA recognizes the civil validity of
marriages carried out with canonical ritual by the Armenian Apostolic
Surb Church. Such a marriage is considered legal from the moment
of wedding. For a complete, legal recognition, a marriage must be
fixed at the civil register what may be done by presenting a church
certificate affirming existence of the marriage. A divorce announced
by the church is also recognized by the state.