Aram I Demands the Resignation of Nikol Pashinyan

Dear people of Armenia, in the presence of the Religious and Political Assemblies of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, we address the following pontifical message to the children of our nation.

The Armenian people are in a deep crisis. The state of being defeated has plunged them into uncertainty and despair. Indeed, we have lost most of Artsakh, which was built and thrived on the blood of our children, despite the courageous resistance shown by our heroic army against the Turkish-Azerbaijani forces. We have also lost our national dignity and pride. We have suffered numerous casualties, prisoners, the wounded, and displaced people. There is not a single Armenian on this planet who does not endure the pain of this tremendous loss for our nation. The people demand a comprehensive and clear accountability regarding this terrible tragedy.

We find ourselves facing uncertainty. Our children in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora express their rightful protests and resistance towards a document signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan that endangers not only Artsakh but also the territorial integrity, security, and independence of Armenia. In fact, Armenia resembles a rudderless ship caught in a terrible storm. In these fateful conditions, the unity of our people is more than imperative. We must stay far from approaches and actions that create polarization, divisions, and sow the spirit of intolerance.

The internal unity and collective will of our people must become a guarantee for a powerful Armenia and Artsakh tomorrow. The collective will of our people and the overall and paramount interests of our nation and homeland must transcend all kinds of considerations and become the decisive factor in our thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Inspired by these principles and commitments, about two years ago, Nikol Pashinyan took the helm of the Armenian government. In the current crisis conditions, we call upon Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to decide to resign from the premiership, allowing the National Assembly to respect the constitutional order and process and elect a new prime minister. We expect that the new government formed under the leadership of the newly elected prime minister prioritizes the swift organization of extraordinary elections for the National Assembly.

We pray to the Almighty God to accept our martyrs in His heavenly kingdom, grant swift recovery to the wounded, return to the captured soldiers, and provide comfort to the mourning families, and keep our nation and homeland far from all kinds of evil and calamities.

ARAM A. CATHOLICOS
CILICIA, 8 December 2020
Antelias, Lebanon