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[MosJan]

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT SUBMITS A BILL ON ARMENIAN CHURCH

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Tigran Torosyan, chairman of National Assembly and vice chairman of Armenian Republican Party (HHK), submitted a bill to the parliament on the Armenian church. The author said new constitution includes two provisions on the role of the Armenian Apostolic church in the life of people and the necessity to legally regulate church-state relations. These two provisions dictated the necessity to submit a bill. Some of its provisions are taken from the law on freedom of consciousness and religious organizations. Torosyan said some 4 dozens European countries are considered in the law. The bill is also submitted to the Catholicos of All Armenians. It was discussed in the church council which submitted its suggestions.

According to the bill, the state recognizes the civic power of marriages registered at the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, the church certificate must be registered at the civic register. The state also recognizes divorces registered by state.

The bill suggests that the church may establish or sponsor kindergartens, elementary, secondary and higher educational establishment within the legislation of Armenia. It may also decide on the curriculum of History of the Armenian Church taught at schools.