ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH DENOUNCES RELIGIOUS SECTS’ ACTIVITIES
Tert.am
17:00 ~U 09.12.09
There are about 50 religious sects active in Armenia, said Father
Shmavon Ghevondyan of St. Hovhannes Church, during a press conference
today. According to the priest, those sects primarily have Protestant
origins.
"They believe that our spiritual state is quite poor. And that
different aunts and uncles are coming to assist us, Armenia, which
accepted Christianity [as a state religion] in 301 AD/CE," noted
Father Ghevondyan.
Noting that these sects in Armenia engage in charitable activities,
assisting elders and children, Father Ghevondyan expressed surprise
at why those sects are allowed in childcare centres and seniors’
homes in the first place.
The representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church also referred to
the legislative aspect of the issue, stating that registration of such
religious organizations in Armenia is permissible by law. The only
precondition is that the number of members must not be less than 500.
As for financing those sects, Father Ghevondyan noted that "Financing
doesn’t come just like that; rather, they are working with the aim of
prospecting [that is, providing information in return for financial
compensation]."