Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople accuses Pashinyan of  attempting to split Armenian society

ArmInfo. The direct campaign by Armenian authorities to condemn the Church as an institution has gone beyond political and legal debates. Creating a conflict with the  values, historical memory and religious structures of society is  deemed unacceptable, as noted in a statement issued by the Armenian  Apostolic Church's Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The statement emphasizes that the Patriarchal throne considered it  necessary to issue this statement in response to the reactions  sparked by the recent visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan to Istanbul. "The majority of Armenians around the world  belong to the flock of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Our Mother  Church, established  by the Enlightenment, has deep historical and  cultural roots. The Armenian Church, besides being a religious  institution, has played an important role in shaping and maintaning  the Armenian identity," the statement emphasizes.

The Patriarchate of Constantinople pointed out that Pashinyan has  recently been making statements against the Armenian Holy Church,  using blasphemous language and slanderous style.

The Patriarchate is also confident that insults against the Supreme  Patriarch of our nation, the Catholicos of All Armenians, His  Holiness Karekin II, are directed not only against the Armenian  Apostolic Church, but also against the conscience of the believing  Armenian people, and historical shrines. This deeply offends the  children of our Church worldwide, who were baptized from the same  font, the Holy Chrism, distributed from the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin. "The direct campaign to condemn the Church as an  institution has gone beyond  political and legal debates. Creating a  conflict with the values, historical memory and religious structures  of society is deemed unacceptable. Our Holy Church is a religious  institution with deep roots. Attempts to use threatening expressions  against it for political purposes can cause a deep split in public  opinion and harm social solidarity. It is obvious that such  manifestations of polarization will not benefit, first of all,  Pashinyan, especially when the Caucasus region is in turmoil," the  statement continues.

In this context, the Patriarchal Throne has deemed it appropriate to  demonstrate its fair reaction to the Prime Minister and note that the  current tense situation has given created a negative atmosphere and a  stream of discontent not only in Armenia, but also in the Diaspora.  The Patriarchate of Constantinople also stated that for the past 35  years, it has fully supported the process of normalizing relations  between Turkey and Armenia and continues to pray for the success of  these efforts for good neighborliness.

Additionally, the Patriarchate emphasized that the head of the  Patriarchate of Constantinople of the Armenian Apostolic Church did  not participate in the meetings organized by the Armenian Prime  Minister amidst  attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church and the  Catholicos of All Armenians. "The recent statements by Nikol  Pashinyan against the Church, particularly his insulting words and  disrespectful style towards His Holiness the Catholicos Father, have  deeply offended our faithful people and harmed our spiritual and  historical shrines.

When religious institutions are targeted outside of the political  arena, it goes beyond  a mere political or legal disagreement. It  becomes a clash with the faith, values and memory of the people.  Using  blackmail to exploit the ancient and holy church threatens  public peace and creates profound disagreements among the people.  Such divisive rhetoric and populist stance, especially in the  challenging situation in the Caucasus, will  not bring long-term  benefits to either the Prime Minister or society.

In this context, our Patriarchate has expressed its fair and  thoughtful response, rejecting the polarization that has been created  not only in Armenia, but also in wide circles of the Diaspora. Our  position is aimed at protecting the role of the "Armenian Apostolic  Church and its centuries-old spiritual values," the Constantinople  diocese stated, emphasizing that the doors of the Patriarchate will  only open for Pashinyan once the attacks on the AAC stop and public  solidarity is restored.