GEORGIAN CHURCH "SURPISED" AT ARMENIAN PROTESTS OVER DISPUTED CHURCH
Channel 1 TV
Dec 8 2008
Georgia
[Presenter] The Georgian Orthodox Patriarch has expressed his
regret over reports that have appeared recently in the Armenian and
international media about alleged religious discrimination against
Armenians living in Georgia. The tension stems from a dispute over
the origin of the Jvris Mama Church, on Leselidze Street [in Tbilisi],
which is referred to as Norashen in Armenian sources. Both the Georgian
and Armenian churches claim it as their own.
The Georgian Patriarchate issued a special statement on the matter
today which says that talks were held on 26 November between
representatives of both churches, as well as both governments,
at which the Georgian patriarch [Ilia II] was in attendance. The
statement says the sides agreed to observe a moratorium on laying
claim to the church until a working group of academics determines its
origin. Despite the agreement, protest rallies were held in Armenia
on 27 November and 3 December.
[Deacon Davit Sharashidze, head of the Georgian Patriarchate’s press
service] Given that we reached this agreement, the protest rallies
held in Armenia on 27 November and 3 December and the harsh statements
made by the Armenian Church came as a surprise to us. Yet, in spite
of the situation that has taken shape, we think that the fraternal
relations between Georgian Patriarch Ilia II and His Holiness, the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenia, Garegin II, will
facilitate the defusing of tensions and ensure that the problem is
overcome in a reasonable and just manner.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
