In Georgia, de facto discrimination on religious grounds, find the Georgian Armenians

Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Armenian Apostolic Church) in Georgia expressed its "concern and outrage" in connection with new attacks on one of the Armenian churches in the center of Tbilisi, brought representatives of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC). This is stated in a statement the diocese made "on behalf of 400 thousand Armenians living in Georgia, which extended on Friday the press office of Holy Echmiadzin Armenian Church in the Holy Echmiadzin. "We regret to note that in Georgia, de facto discrimination on religious grounds", - the statement, which now leads the news agency.

Armenian Holy Mother of God Norashen was built in the mid XV century and the founding member of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, noted in a statement. In the 30 years of last century, along with other religious institutions, the church was closed and used as a repository of books. "Unfortunately, after the restoration of state independence, the Government of Georgia does not return the church of its legal, historical owner," - notes the diocese.

Another concern was the erection of Armenians in Tbilisi in May this year cleric GOC Tarielom Sikinchelashvili and his working group subordinate to the Armenian church and the adjacent territory of the metal fence that contains elements that are characteristic of the Georgian Church. "In connection with another attempt to smooth the capture of Armenian church" diocese expressed outrage, describing it as a violation of the Georgian party to the agreement reached between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the GOC of a civilized settlement of the issue of belonging Holy Mother of God Norashen and 4 other Armenian churches in Tbilisi, indicated in the statement.

This fact "triggered a wave of anger among parishioners Armenian Diocese in Georgia" who "took it as a denial of their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and religious equality" - noted in the diocese.

The situation was fraught with sectarian conflicts between the two brotherly Christian peoples, "- recalled in the diocese. It believes that "the Georgian side are interested not so much the fact of attribution Holy Norashen, but the possibility of such a method to provide moral and spiritual pressure on Tbilisi Armenians." "Anti-Armenian sentiment, as well as the recent anti-Armenian publications in the Georgian press - proof," - noted in a statement.

Armenian Diocese called for "appropriate governmental structures of Georgia to allow this issue, put an end to the lawlessness, and within a reasonable time to determine the legal status of traditional religious organizations." Recalling the GOC of existing agreements, the Armenian Diocese strongly demanded compliance. "In other developments may lead to unpredictable consequences, the full responsibility which falls on the Government of Georgia and Patriarch GOC" - warned the Armenian Diocese.