August 7, 2026
The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church is not just some organization operating in Armenia, but the soul of the nation. Today, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, director of the department of foreign relations and protocol of the Mother See, joked in a conversation with journalists in the courtyard of the Mother See.
“It is neither the National Health Service nor “Multi Wellness” that they can crush, seize, nationalize, and appoint their manager in a Bolshevik manner. The church is the soul of our nation. The body is the state, the body is the people, the soul is the church,” said the reverend.
Is it possible for the relations between the church and the authorities to be regulated? the reverend does not consider it impossible, if there is repentance on the part of the authorities.
Is the Patriarch ready to forgive after all this? Reverend Nathan noted: the greatest mission of a Christian is to forgive, but forgiveness happens where there is repentance.
“If there is repentance, it is impossible that there is no forgiveness,” said the reverend.
Reverend Nathan also mentioned that none of the bishops who joined the so-called “Reformation Movement” tried to meet with His Holiness during this time. According to him, the clergy who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council also received invitations to participate in the council sessions, but the invitations remained unanswered. He mentioned that Arman Saroyan (former leader of Masyatsotn Diocese, Bishop Gevorg, ed.) continues to use the accounts of the Mother See.
And how do they feel in the Mother See that Patriarch of Constantinople Sahak Mashalyan did not react in any way to the start of the trial in the “case” of His Holiness and 6 bishops?
“I hope the letter hasn’t arrived yet. “Maybe the mail is not working well,” joked the reverend.
He also responded to the journalist’s question about rumors that the Patriarch of Constantinople is claiming the throne of Catholicos.
“I don’t know what they are claiming when the Catholicos, thank God, is alive and well, and may God give him a long life,” said Reverend Nathan.
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Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Lilit Nahapetian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/08/08/the-church-is-neither-hets-nor-multi-wellness-to-make-a-fool-of-themselves-nathan-the-saint/