Catholicos Aram I on Pashinyan's Statements Regarding the Armenian Genocide

The address of the perpetrators and executors of the Armenian Genocide is clear, as are the reasons behind the Genocide. This was stated by Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. He remarked, “Thoughts are again being voiced from the circles of the Armenian government that can open the door to new and pointless disputes. This concerns the Prime Minister of Armenia and his recent remarks about the Armenian Genocide.”

In this context, CILICIA TV sought to obtain His Holiness Aram I's perspective. It is known that the Supreme Patriarch often addresses the flawed and harmful phenomena of past and present governments in Armenia and their consequences in a pointed manner, always led by the supreme interests of our nation and homeland. In response to CILICIA TV’s inquiry, the Supreme Patriarch stated, “We wonder why the Prime Minister of Armenia, while speaking of the Armenian Genocide, raises questions related to its internal and external causes and consequences, and with this approach, he makes the undeniable fact of the Genocide being orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire a discussion point.”

Continuing his statement, His Holiness said, “It is known to all that historians, genocide scholars, and specialists in the Ottoman Empire have already established the fact that the Armenian Genocide was orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire with clear evidence. International law and human rights experts have also articulated the legal ramifications of the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, let us not forget the clear expression made in the Declaration of Independence of Armenia and the nationwide statement on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, regarding the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkey.”

Then, referring to the questions raised by the Prime Minister about the Armenian Genocide, Catholicos Aram I said, “Such approaches, as the people say, are watering the mill of the enemy. The suggestion to leave the examination of the Armenian Genocide to historians is an idea originating from Turkey. This approach has been and remains unacceptable for us,” emphasized the Patriarch, adding, “The historical fact that the Armenian Genocide was orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire is not subject to dispute and therefore is not a topic for examination, even state bodies, parliaments, and international organizations have established who the perpetrator is.”

“Thus, we have passed this juncture and are now in the legal phase of restitution, the first step of which was the case opened in 2015 by the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, directed at demanding the return of the Sis Catholicosate,” the Patriarch concluded.

In a brief interview with CILICIA TV, the Supreme Patriarch concluded by reminding that “by raising questions driven by opportunistic policy, regarding national values and symbols, we actually give rise to pointless disputes. We must be careful. We live in times filled with dangers. The geopolitical conditions of the region are never favorable for us. Therefore, it is our warm recommendation to stay away from approaches and thoughts that create new divides within the Armenian life. More than ever, the consolidation of national forces around a common Armenian agenda, whether in Armenia or the Diaspora, is imperative, as we have often emphasized,” said Catholicos Aram I.