News/News 2008-11-20

CATHEDRAL OF SURB ECHMIADZIN CONDEMNED ATTEMPT OF DEFILEMENT OF GRAVES
IN TBILISI

YEREVAN, 20.11.08. DE FACTO. `’This deed does not correspond to
centuries-old friendship between our two countries”, Vahram Melikian,
spokesman for the Holy See at Echmiadzin told a Panorama.am correspondent.
To remind, the attempt of defilement of two graves of Mikhail and
Lydia Tamamshian, renowned Armenians, patrons of Tbilisi, representatives of
Tamamshev (Tamamshian) family, was made in Tbilisi on November 16. The act
of defilement was made under the guidance of father Tariel Sikinchelashvili,
a representative of the Georgian Patriarchy, who made the attempt, in his
words, `’within the frames of his private program on improvement of the
territory adjoining the Armenian church”.
According to Vahram Melikian, Armenia Eparchy in Georgia does not have
a definite status there, as the law `’On Consciousness and Religion” has
not been adopted there. `’If the law is adopted, the status of the Eparchy
will be consolidated, and it will be able to dictate its actions”, Vahram
Melikian said.

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