Etchmiadzin to Boycott Aghtamar Mass
ETCHMIADZIN, Armenia (A.W.)-On Sept. 4, Etchmiadzin announced that it
will not take part in the Divine Liturgy scheduled to take place on
Sept. 19 at Aghtamar because Turkish authorities have declined to
place a cross on top of the Holy Cross Church.
On Aug. 30, the Armenian Weekly reported that the Catholicosate of
Cilicia had released a statement informing the public that the
Catholicosate will not send representatives to attend church services
at the Holy Cross Armenian Church.
Thus, both Armenian Catholicosates have now made public statements
declining to take part in the Divine Liturgy. Political leaders of
Armenia’s ruling party and in the opposition have also spoken against
the Turkish government’s initiative.
From: A. Papazian