An interview with Karen Petrosyan, Chairman of the Central Council of the Pan International Armenian Church Youth Organization (Pan-ACYO).

What is the purpose of your visit to Javakhk?

The Pan-ACYOA, a group uniting young people dedicated to the church, has been existence for two years now.

We are in Javakhk to develop closer relations between various dioceses and young people. Local youth have participated in our delegates' assembly.

This resulted in a joint trip to Javakhk with participation of the Javakhk and Shirak Dioceses. Father Tatev Maroukyan has escorted the group all over and the visit was accompanied by spiritual and intellectual events.

Our trip to the Vardzia cave complex was most interesting. There is a church. Surprisingly, the monks were opposed to our praying out loud. They said we could only pray silently. Afterwards, the abbot closed the fountain spring. It was opened subsequent to our leaving.

What does it all mean?

I believe it raises the issue of religious intolerance. Furthermore, perhaps the Georgian clergy still haven't come to grips with the fact that the Armenian Apostolic Church has been granted legal status in Georgia. Hopefully, when emotions subside, they will realize that they are dealing with a church with a 1,700 year legacy. Maybe, it was the result of an internal directive.

What reason did they give for not letting you publicly pray?

They said that only orthodox believers could pray. Those from other denominations couldn't. They probably have forgotten that the Armenian Apostolic Church was the first to be accepted as orthodox according to the three universal church conclaves. Of course we were aware that Armenians in Javakhk are facing various problems on the state and spiritual levels. We came away even more convinced of the difficulties they face.

What important problem is there in Javakhk?

It's a problem of spirituality, not only in Georgia but for the Armenian people in general. Large segments of Armenians are not in touch with our huge cultural inheritance, of which the church is the torch bearer.

But the most encouraging aspect is the Armenian spirit of the people in Javakhk.

Interview conducted by Aghounik Ayvazyan