Catholicos of All Armenians: Armenian authorities, instead of bridging gaps in society, continue their campaign against AAC

ArmInfo. Instead of uniting the Armenian people and bridging  the existing gaps in society,the Armenian authorities continue their campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).

As reported by the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II made this statement on July 11 during the annual meeting of priests. The meeting was attended by the heads of the dioceses of the AAC, the Congregation of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and 215 priests representing various church structures. In his speech, His Holiness noted that the meeting was organized to discuss the alarming events taking place around the church. Specifically, the  attacks on parishioners, the arrests of two priests and Samvel Karapetyan, Russian businessman of Armenian origin and head of the Tashir Group of Companies.

"In these challenging times, despite attempts to present steps against the Church as directed against individual parishioners, it is nevertheless obvious that they are systemic and aimed at the Church itself," the Catholicos emphasized. Karekin II pointed out that the Armenian Church cannot ignore threats to national identity and the security of the Motherland. He noted the need to resist distortions of history and protect the interests of the people and the state.  Additionally, the Catholicos called for active actions to protect the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh and condemn the injustice against the Armenians illegally detained in Baku.

In this vein, Karekin II called on parishioners to be steadfast and devoted in their service, emphasizing the importance of correctly understanding the true motives behind anti-church actions. "We will not allow these unacceptable phenomena, misleading publications and statements to create misunderstandings, humiliating our nation and the Church," the Catholicos concluded.