Archbishop Arshak Comments on Mother Cathedral's Response to Pashinyan

The Mother Cathedral has already expressed its view on the current situation and cannot respond to the campaign initiated against the church in the same vocabulary and style. This was stated today by the head of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, during a conversation with journalists, commenting on the statement adopted by the Supreme Spiritual Council the day before.

The Supreme Spiritual Council held a meeting and adopted a statement urging the competent state bodies to stop the Prime Minister's illegal and short-sighted political agenda. It was noted that the Prime Minister of Armenia has launched yet another campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, using language and accusations unworthy of a public official.

The Supreme Spiritual Council also reminded that issues concerning the church are resolved according to ecclesiastical order and regulations and fall outside the jurisdiction of state and political figures.

A journalist asked Archbishop Arshak whether the church’s response seemed too mild and understated, considering the events of recent days and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s rhetoric. The Archbishop disagreed, stating that a statement had been made that the church found appropriate.

“You suggest that we use the vocabulary and terminology employed by those who initiated the campaign. If there are further steps, we will announce them,” said Archbishop Arshak.

Regarding the 'uncle's story', the Archbishop mentioned that this should be directed to Pashinyan. “For us, it is nothing more than slander and an unacceptable style of writing,” the cleric said, adding that he is not aware of Pashinyan's 'preferences'.

It should be noted that yesterday and today, Nikol Pashinyan made another statement, writing that if it turns out that the Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II, has indeed violated his vow of celibacy and has a child, he cannot remain the Catholicos of All Armenians.