PEACEFUL MARCH AGAINST SEIZURE OF ARMENIAN CHURCHES IN GEORGIA HELD IN TBILISIMarch 4, 2005 - 18:44 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said. Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani. POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO. Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |