Norashen.blog.com

04.03.2005 14:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On March 3 about 200 representatives of the Georgian and Armenian youth organization gathered near the Georgian Church of Sioni situated near the Nubarashen Armenian Church and marched to the Armenian Church of Surb Gevorg, IA Regnum reports. Georgian and Armenian youth joined to hold a peaceful action to protest against the activity of the Georgian Clergy directed to the seizure of the Armenian Church. In the Surb Gevorg Church they lighted candles and were blessed by father Abgar, who recollected the times when the representatives of both nations launched pilgrimages during which Georgians visited Saint Echmiadzin and participated in the liturgies together with the Armenians, who then came to Mtskhetu to celebrate the Svetitskhoveli Holiday. He noted that the tradition was preserved even during the soviet period, when the religion, to put it mildly, was not heartened. However despite their good intentions some of the Georgian young people participating in the march preferred not to enter the Armenian Church. Some of the young Armenians put up tents in front of the Nubarashen Church. The Armenian Diocese of Georgia hopes that the problem will receive a solution during the top meeting of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.