Georgian-Armenian church row rekindles with protests
The row over a shrine has flared up anew between
Georgians and Armenians. Armenians are protesting in Yerevan to
counter the alleged destruction of the Surb Gevork Church in the
center of the Georgian capital Tbilisi to which they lay their
claims.
The protesters -- up to 1,000 representatives of public organizations and students -- carried posters alleging "Georgians, you are not Christians", "Give our churches back", "Down with cultural genocide", and "Down with indifference".
The demonstrators, gathering outside the Georgian embassy, submitted a petition to the neighboring country’s clerical leadership and authorities. They sought to forward a similar appeal to the local UN representation, but did not succeed because the Yerevan mayor’s office had not authorized the protest.
The youngsters blamed the Georgian government for allegedly failing to protect Armenian churches and monuments.
"Our protest is aimed not against the Georgian people, but Georgian government agencies and the Georgian Church," says Gevork Mkrtchyan, one of the protest organizers. "We cannot withhold our wrath over their steps targeting the Armenian Apostle Church and the Armenian culture…With this action, we are trying to draw the attention of the Georgian public to the ongoing developments."
Priest Mkhitar Aloyan, a representative of the Apostle Church, claimed that Georgian government agencies are insulting Armenian clerics and believers.
"When we head to Jerusalem for pilgrimage customs officers inspect us from head to toes, while Georgian clerics are released without waiting in line. They are not Christians, a Christian would never destroy a church."*
The protesters -- up to 1,000 representatives of public organizations and students -- carried posters alleging "Georgians, you are not Christians", "Give our churches back", "Down with cultural genocide", and "Down with indifference".
The demonstrators, gathering outside the Georgian embassy, submitted a petition to the neighboring country’s clerical leadership and authorities. They sought to forward a similar appeal to the local UN representation, but did not succeed because the Yerevan mayor’s office had not authorized the protest.
The youngsters blamed the Georgian government for allegedly failing to protect Armenian churches and monuments.
"Our protest is aimed not against the Georgian people, but Georgian government agencies and the Georgian Church," says Gevork Mkrtchyan, one of the protest organizers. "We cannot withhold our wrath over their steps targeting the Armenian Apostle Church and the Armenian culture…With this action, we are trying to draw the attention of the Georgian public to the ongoing developments."
Priest Mkhitar Aloyan, a representative of the Apostle Church, claimed that Georgian government agencies are insulting Armenian clerics and believers.
"When we head to Jerusalem for pilgrimage customs officers inspect us from head to toes, while Georgian clerics are released without waiting in line. They are not Christians, a Christian would never destroy a church."*
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