Norashen church, Tbilisi

[chinchilla]

http://hetq.am/eng/photostory/1055/1/

Tbilisi, November 16, 2008. The courtyard of the Norashen Church. Under the supervision of Georgian clergyman Father Tariel Sikinchelashvili, gravestones located on the premises of the 15th century Armenian church in Norashen are being demolished. © Hetq

[chinchilla]

Now I'm sure there are Georgians who are just as appalled by these actions as we are, but why would a clergyman do this? How could you demolish someone's gravestone? If they really do plan to demolish Lydia Tamamshian's gravestone (pictured in that Hetq photostory), Armenians should move it to Armenia.

[Sako]

There are lot's of things that Armenians should've moved to Armenia but a lot of problems come up when you try. Plus politics are always in the air. Anyways, I hope everything goes OK. Another part of our history is being erased, how much more of this can we take?

[Pedro Xaramillo]

I seem to recal Azerbaijan doing something similar with Hay khachkars, what are the relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan?

[Steph]

Now I'm sure there are Georgians who are just as appalled by these actions as we are, but why would a clergyman do this? How could you demolish someone's gravestone? If they really do plan to demolish Lydia Tamamshian's gravestone (pictured in that Hetq photostory), Armenians should move it to Armenia.

The priest looked like he'd got a large brown envelope sticking out of his back pocket.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Edoman]

Even though Armenia and Georgia have cultural and religious similarities (not to mention that we brought them Christianity and came to their rescue and saved them from complete conversion by the Persians; of course this is ancient history) however Georgian relationship with Muslim Azeris is much closer, mostly due to economic and political factors. First, Georgian needs the (stolen Armenian) oil from Baku. Notice how the pipeline avoids Armenia at all cost, a requirement of its construction by Turkey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Baku_pipelines.svg

Note: Georgia was one of the first to join the Turko-German alliance in WWI


Second, Georgians have sympathized with Azerbaijan's position in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both countries cite the principle of "inviolability of state borders" in defending national interests against claims by ethnic minorities. In December 1990, Georgia under Gamsakhurdia signed a cooperation agreement with Azerbaijan on the economic, scientific, technical, and cultural spheres.

In February 1993, Georgia signed a treaty of friendship, cooperation, and mutual relations with Azerbaijan, including a mutual security arrangement and assurances that Georgia would not re-export Azerbaijani oil or natural gas to Armenia, isn’t that nice? In 1993 Azerbaijan exerted pressure on Georgia to join the blockade of Armenia and to curb incursions by Armenians from Georgian territory into Azerbaijan.

Both current leaders of these countries are nothing but sewer rats if you ask me.

There is a slight dispute of border in Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia between the two.

Azerbaijan was created in 1918, same time Turkey was established after WWI. This was the desire of Turks to give land to their Azeri cousins (supported by the West) and maintain control of that region, one of the main reasons for trashing the treaty of Sevres and Ataturks attacks on Armenia.

Armenians in Georgia are not being treated very well as far as I know and Armenian Government worries about them.

[Steph]

Even though Armenia and Georgia have cultural and religious similarities (not to mention that we brought them Christianity and came to their rescue and saved them from complete conversion by the Persians; of course this is ancient history)

Edoman, really well summed up, plus St. Mesrop accidentally gave them their alphabet when he threw some overcooked noodles against a wall.

[Edoman]

Steph, I agree, that alphabet is a mess.

BTW, this reminded me of a video made by “Armenian Patriot”. If you haven’t seen this it is worth a look. It is well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM_YjgO8xXc

[Pedro Xaramillo]

I thought I heard somewhere that they duplicated the Mesropian alphabet.

Sorry if I seem ignorant about this, I know about the Genocide by the Ottoman Empire, but I'm not clued up much about the history between Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan

[bell-the-cat]

http://hetq.am/eng/photostory/1055/1/

Tbilisi, November 16, 2008. The courtyard of the Norashen Church. Under the supervision of Georgian clergyman Father Tariel Sikinchelashvili, gravestones located on the premises of the 15th century Armenian church in Norashen are being demolished. © Hetq

It's being going on for years, decades. There are example photos somewhere on RAA.am showing what has happened to Armenian churches throughout Georgia.