Mother See refutes Public Television`s report on Garegin II

ArmInfo.  The Mother See of Etchmiadzin called the information published on the Zarkerak website and reprinted by the Public Television of Armenia (PTA) regarding the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II false and fictitious.

In the publication, the Catholicos of All Armenians is referred to by  his secular name, and it is noted that allegedly under his leadership  a "fake factory for manipulating information" was created.

"The Church has never needed fakes to voice the truth or raise any  questions. The Information Service of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin,  within the framework of its functions, cooperates and is in constant  communication in various formats with those responsible for the press  and the clergy of the dioceses," the press office of the Mother See  of Etchmiadzin emphasizes in a statement.

In addition, it is noted that in order to properly disseminate news,  the information agency of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin has separate  church groups with which consultations and thematic discussions are  organized as needed.

The Prime Minister of Armenia launched a campaign against the  Armenian Apostolic Church in May.  Thus, on May 29, at a government  meeting, Pashinyan compared Armenian churches to closets, and his  wife, Anna Hakobyan, called the clergy the main pedophiles of the  country. In addition, the head of the Armenian Cabinet raised the  issue of celibacy of the clergy of the AAC. In particular, he stated  that he has evidence of violation of the vow of celibacy by a number  of clergy, including Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, who, in  his opinion, should resign. Meanwhile, independent experts are  inclined to believe that this anti-church campaign is dictated from  outside.