You Cannot Lead a Desperate People as a Blind Leader: The Bishop of the Canadian Armenian Community

The Call of the Bishop of the Canadian Armenian Community
The world has been experiencing one of the harshest and saddest periods in its modern history for months. The actions that began on September 27 and are still ongoing, particularly the sad agreement on the ceasefire signed on November 9, are the direct and comprehensive responses to all of us from the change of power that took place 2.5 years ago, which future generations will assess in history as vanity and deception.

The grief caused by the thousands of wounded and deceased Armenian compatriots, the discouraging state resulting from the loss of vast territories, and the psychological, economic, and military insecurity created throughout the homeland have profoundly shaken the Armenian people. In pain, after thousands of glorious victories recorded in the history of the Armenians, today our homeland’s government is adopting a weak and feeble course, leading us to register our nation's shameful and disgraceful defeat moment by moment. This trend will continue as long as the leadership of the Republic of Armenia remains in the hands of incapable and dignity-deficient individuals.

The ruling political force that has brought the homeland to the brink of loss should, instead of speaking, remain silent, recognize the mistakes it has made, and voluntarily withdraw to prevent the escalating crisis with all its negative consequences.

The discontent of countless Armenians, as well as the calls from representatives of the spiritual, scientific, educational, cultural, business sectors, and many others, remain ignored, as they “feared not God and were not ashamed before people” (Luke 17:2).

The obsessive desire to cling to the ruling chair and the absence of even minimal respect for the people prevents the current rulers from looking directly at reality. The characters of today’s Armenian leadership seem to embody the heroes of Dostoevsky's “Demons,” spreading lies and falsehoods among their formless and nondescript followers, establishing a diabolical rule in the motherland.

Today’s Prime Minister, hidden behind the mask of Stavrogin, has only created internal chaos and anger in Armenia. The power held in their hands has served not to creation but to the self-destruction of the individual. Deeply affected by the crisis our brothers and sisters are experiencing these days, we consider it our duty to join the nationwide call for the Prime Minister's resignation and pray that the current government, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, recognizes the evident reality of its failure and existing inability, resigns from its positions, and creates an opportunity for a peaceful political transition that would allow sober-minded individuals to save the homeland from total destruction and the destructive poison of growing hatred among the people.

You, as a blind leader, driven by unreal promises and desperate cries, cannot lead a whole nation. For the sake of the saints of the homeland, the wounded and needy among our children, take on the last opportunity to save the homeland with honorable will. Seek wisdom and at least at this moment be guided not by empty slogans but by wisdom, “For wisdom is more precious than gold and silver treasures” (Proverbs 3:14).

We do not doubt that, as always, God’s chosen will reach fulfillment, for He is the one who grants victory (2 Chronicles 20:15) and to Him be Glory and Gratitude now and forever. Amen.

His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan
Bishop of the Canadian Armenian Community