Some thoughts of Primate of Armenian Diocese in Baltic States at  meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan extremely  subjective - AAC

ArmInfo.  Some thoughts and opinions expressed by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States, Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan at a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are extremely subjective, individual and cannot be attributed to the Church. This is stated in  a statement by Holy Etchmiadzin in connection with numerous inquiries  received from the media against the backdrop of the scandalous  meeting between Pashinyan and Mirzakhanyan in Estonia.

"The expressions contained in the welcoming speech of the Primate of  the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States on the occasion of the  visit of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the Church of St. Gregory  the Illuminator in Tallinn caused misunderstanding among different  layers of our society, and, unfortunately, became a reason for  political speculation, offensive characteristics of the clergyman and  the Church.

Some thoughts and opinions expressed by the Primate of the Diocese  are extremely subjective, individual and cannot be attributed to the  Church," Holy Etchmiadzin emphasized.

At the same time, the AAC stated that when voicing an assessment on  any issue, especially when there is no official position of the  Church, clergymen must necessarily exercise caution and caution so as  not to give rise to misinterpretation.

Another scandal broke out in Armenia the day before. The reason was a  video with Mirzakhanyan's welcoming speech to Pashinyan. The Primate  of the Diocese, in particular, stated: "We pray that your programs  for achieving peace and reconciliation with Armenia's neighbors will  be crowned with success.  We pray that our country will take steps  towards the European Union as believers. I am confident that the  civilization we see here is the future of our country in this  beautiful Christian environment. We pray that these successes will be  achieved, that Armenia, like the Baltic countries, will be able to  provide our people with a good, wonderful future through peaceful  cooperation." 

A number of public and political figures and ordinary citizens  criticized Mirzakhanyan for such a reception of Pashinyan, taking  into account the latter's attitude towards the Church and Catholicos  of All Armenians Garegin II. There were also calls to excommunicate  him from the Church.