Catholicos of All Armenians: The Church has become the target of  attacks by representatives of the authorities

ArmInfo. Over the past year, the Armenian people have witnessed unprecedented pressure from the Armenian authorities against the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), including the illegal arrests of bishops, artificial obstacles to the exercise of spiritual ministry, and attempts to seize our ancient monasteries and churches.

As reported by the press office of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme  Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, made this statement in an  address to 650 young people, who had arrived on pilgrimage  in the  Mother See of Etchmiadzin with their spiritual pastors on the  occasion of the Feast of the Resurrection of Christ to participate in  the Divine Liturgy and to receive the fatherly blessing of the  Catholicos of All Armenians.

 During the meeting, Karekin II recalled that it was the Armenian  Apostolic Church that has granted strength to her children in their  striving to live and to create, in their aspirations for peace and  justice. " The Armenian Church is the spiritual home of our people,  where every Armenian finds love, care, and pastoral concern, and is  strengthened by heavenly gifts and blessings. Whoever desires to know  the soul of the Armenian people must turn their gaze toward the  Armenian Church.  She has bestowed the strength to love the nation  and the homeland, and, remaining faithful to her mission, has  preserved and enriched our spiritual and cultural heritage, ever  committed to the upbringing of the new generation in the spirit of  Armenian traditions.  Established upon Christ-given values, our  Church has become a pillar of unity for Armenians throughout the  world, guiding her flock both in times of peace and in times of  trial," Karekin II stated in his address to those present.

However, as the Catholicos noted, the Armenian Church has often  encountered various obstacles and difficulties on the path to this  mission. In particular, he recalled that the Armenian Apostolic  Church is currently subject to persecution by representatives of the  Armenian authorities. "Over the past year, we have witnessed  unprecedented pressure: unlawful arrests of bishops, artificial  obstacles to the exercise of pastoral ministry, and attempts to seize  our ancient monasteries and churches.

With the apparent patronage of the authorities, an individual removed  from the position of Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese and defrocked  continues to occupy the diocesan headquarters and, on the basis of  unlawful court and enforcement decisions, acts in a secular capacity  as a diocesan head.  Recently, we also witnessed another  unconstitutional step, when the ruling political force included  unacceptable provisions concerning the Armenian Church in its  electoral program. All this, as you well know, is accompanied by  fabricated accusations, incitement of intolerance, and open threats,"  Karekin II noted.

"History, however, testifies that, with trust in God, our Church has  always overcome trials. Today as well, the Armenian Church continues  to serve zealously the national revival and remains a devoted  advocate for the strengthening of our state and the deepening of  social harmony. She will continue to defend our national rights,  aspirations, and goals," His Holiness emphasized.

The Catholicos called the active involvement of the younger  generation in church life crucial in fulfilling this mission. In this  regard, Karekin II attached great importance to the youth unions  operating within the Armenian Apostolic Church and implementing  various programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening and deepening  the connection of the new generation with the Armenian Church. "You  and your peers are the guarantee of the strengthening of our  Homeland, the radiance of our Holy Church, and the bright future of  our people. Preserve your firm bond with the Armenian Apostolic Holy  Church, and accept and follow her centuries-sanctified traditions as  your guide, so that you may become independent, worthy, and strong  individuals. Love your Homeland, our Holy Church; be devout believers  and law-abiding citizens," the Catholicos concluded.

Recall, on April 4, the ruling Civil Contract party presented its  election platform, the ideological foundation of which is the idea of  "Real Armenia" and the doctrine of the country's economic and  institutional transformation. The platform, among other things,  includes provisions on reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church. It  emphasizes the intention to continue implementing the so-called  reform agenda of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which entails the  removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, the appointment of an  interim patriarch in accordance with established procedure, the  adoption of the Statute of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the  election of the Catholicos of All Armenians in accordance with  established procedure. Furthermore, it is noted that the reform of  the Armenian Apostolic Church is aimed at "restoring constitutional  order" in the Republic of Armenia by removing the Church from the  political sphere.

It should be emphasized that, according to the Constitution of  Armenia, the Armenian Apostolic Church is separate from the state and  has a special mission. However, since May of this year, the country's  authorities have been pursuing an active anti-church policy and  seeking the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,  who is elected to this position for life. This campaign has targeted  both clergy and citizens who support the Church.