Aragatsotn Diocese: Father Aram "obediently" complied with  demand to  discredit  the Church

ArmInfo.Armenian Public Television used the interview with Father Aram Asatryan, the spiritual pastor of Hovhannavank, on September 16 to support the  government's anti-church campaign and discredit the Armenian  Apostolic Holy Church. Father Aram complied "obediently" with the  demand placed before him, as noted  in a statement issued by the  press office of the Aragatsotn Diocese.

 "Regarding the unfounded and false accusations and gossip expressed  by Father Aram Asatryan in the interview, we note that the clergy of  the Church, regardless of their hierarchical rank, always demonstrate  love and care for the Gospel of Christ to one another and to the  faithful flock.

The Church is not ruled by fear, but by a spirit of love,  forgiveness, generosity, philanthropy, and devotion to God. Along  with this, the clergy are also guided by a dedicated rank and a high  sense of service, putting the sanctity of the Church  over personal  ambitions and arbitrariness," the statement continues.

The Aragatsotn Diocese stated that without these two pillars-love and  discipline-the Church and clergy cannot serve the Holy Gospel of  Christ and the Armenian faithful fully and effectively. "A wise son  listens to his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not accept  his father's reproof" (Proverbs 13:1), the diocese concluded.