SOS: Handwritings are annihilated from Armenian Churches in Tbilisi
26/8/2011
Armenian Churches in Georgia have always been interested and not only for Armenians or the amateurs of the church architecture. Most part of these cathedrals was built in middle ages and is protected since our days. This proofs the high spiritual and cultural level of Georgia and of Armenians as well who lived in that country and built it with its citizens.
Unfortunately many Armenian Churches were changed both by their outer image in by the plot after SU collapse, when Zviad Gamsakhurdia became the first president of indepensent Georgia. To be simple, all the traces of Armenian origin of these churches were destroyed both in and out. Five Armenian Churches were treated in a vandal way in Tbilisi. The churches are St. Karapet, St. Khach, Karap St. Gevorg, St. Stepanos and Petkhian Churches. The latter church is changed and it is now a Georgian Church. Minimal changes are made here and Armenian handwritings are seen on it even after serving holy mass by the representatives of Georgian Orthodox Church.
But 2011 was a fatal for one of these churches. A stone was in front of the entrance of the church where Armenian and Georgian handwritings were seen.
Some years the citizens and tourists had opportunity to see it, the only headstone of the Petkhian Church. But a week ago one of the Tbilisi residents paid attention to the strange image of the headstone. The handwriting was annihilated.
As it is seen the workers who restore the territory near church changed it a little and also “renewed” it making in anonym. As we can judge by already former writing, this is a headstone of 19th century.
Now here is just a question: who and why has made this vandalism? This handwriting did not disturb anybody since now. Moreover, this church is not included in “disputable” list and Armenian Apostolic Church has no claims on it.
/Times.am/
