
March 22, 2010 - 11:45 AMT

18:05 GMT
The government of Armenia accepted the proposal of Moscow Cinema LLC directorate on the gratuitous alienation of the land area on Abovyan 18 str., Yerevan, a public property occupied by Moscow Cinema Open-Air Hall, for the benefit of Holy Etchmiadzin, thus conferring it a property right to construct a new church on the site of former Surb Poghos-Petros Church, dismantled by Soviet authorities. Such a hasty governmental decision caused unrest among Armenian civil society, who now use every chance to express their disagreement on the issue. The fact is rather surprising, for Armenians’ passion for church-building is famous worldwide. It is the choice of the construction site that causes people’s discontent.