I Want to Know Where That Hand Was Before, Should I Kiss It? – Alen Simonyan

We are not discussing whether this situation exists or not, but rather whether it is worth raising it in public. I don't think there was an insult, but there were insults in the hall by one of the opposition deputies,” said Alen Simonyan, responding to a reporter's question about whether Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's remarks directed at clergymen crossed red lines.

“Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves, and it is correct to find what to say. But why aren't we discussing the content of all this? It is a matter of taste. The word 'd...' is not an insult; I can repeat it. Primarily, the Constitution gives a special status to the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the Prime Minister has stated that he, as a believer for whom the Apostolic Church is sacred, and for whom the Armenian Church is the greatest value, should know about it, something he has been publicly talking about for several days,” he stated.

“People feel entitled to speak about whether the Prime Minister is married or not. The Church has openly stated that it has taken on the role of a political party. Look at the comments from Ajapahyan after that, look at the personal insults and qualifications directed at the Prime Minister. There is no contradiction in my words. The people who take it upon themselves to judge others, guide spiritual life, and talk about morality, and those individuals who, for example, protest in the yard of the Saint Anna Church, hurl insults at the current and elected government of Armenia. Should we not understand who these people are?” the Speaker of the National Assembly added.

He noted that there are people who kiss the hands of clergymen: “I want to know where that hand was before and whether I should kiss that hand or not. I want to understand, is it possible to know or not?” he emphasized.

“Whoever tries to encroach on the Armenian Apostolic Church, I and all my friends will be the first to stand as defenders. Individuals are being identified with the church, which is a sin. Some people say, 'I won’t let this person enter the church,' who are you to not let someone in the Armenian Apostolic Church? You are a servant; these people are servants. Apart from being a servant, they are nothing, regardless of how much money and property they have in their accounts,” he concluded.