Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II announced unprecedented pressures and targeted attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church by the current authorities. The spiritual leader mentioned this during a meeting with young pilgrims at the Mother See, pointing out the illegal arrests of the clergy and attempts to interfere in the affairs of the Church.
On April 12, a reception of about 650 young people from different dioceses of Armenia took place in the Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See. In his address to the believers, Garegin II emphasized the historical and spiritual role of the Church in the life of the Armenian people, but drew the main attention to the current crisis in relations with the state.
According to the Catholicos, during the last year, the clergy faced large-scale persecution by the representatives of the government. As an example, he mentioned unjustified arrests of bishops, artificial obstacles to spiritual service and attempts to seize ancient monasteries and churches.
The situation around the Masyatsotni Diocese has received particular criticism. according to the AAP bishop, the ex-priest, who was excommunicated with the open patronage of state institutions, continues to illegally dominate the presbytery and, based on the controversial decisions of the court and the enforcement service, acts as the head of the diocese in a secular capacity.
Garegin B also described the inclusion of unacceptable provisions directed against the Church by the ruling political force in its pre-election program as “another unconstitutional step”. The spiritual leader noted that such processes are accompanied by false accusations, incitement of intolerance and open threats.
Despite the aggravation of the situation, the Catholicos assured the flock that the Church will continue to protect national rights and the interests of the country. At the end of the meeting, he called on young people to actively participate in church life, to be faithful to Christian values and to be law-abiding citizens.
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