Holy See of Etchmiadzin Issues Statement

The Holy See of Etchmiadzin has issued a statement:

“June 27 of this year will remain a day of national shame in our people's recent history due to the disgraceful actions carried out by the authorities of Armenia against the Armenian Church and the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. In a criminal proceeding initiated on fabricated grounds, representatives of law enforcement agencies entered the grounds of the Holy See with the intention of arresting and forcibly detaining His Grace Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the leader of the Shirak Diocese. During this process, significant forces were deployed to block the entrances of the Holy See and disrupt the normal life of the spiritual center of all Armenians. Artificial obstacles were also created for those traveling to Vagharshapat and Etchmiadzin, including extensive checks.

We strongly condemn the anti-church actions initiated and regard them as a humiliation toward the holy center of the Armenians, the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, as well as a severe insult to the spiritual feelings of the believers. It is evident from the rhetoric of the country’s Prime Minister and various representatives of the authorities that this premeditated action is another manifestation of the ruling party's anti-church policy. It would have been unimaginable that our homeland's authorities could deliver such a treacherous blow to the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the oldest national institutions, in a manner even more shameful than foreign rulers of the past.

We call on the children of our people to continue standing beside the Mother Church with the same zeal and to pray for the glory of Etchmiadzin and the peace of our homeland. The clergy, alongside our faithful children, will be present at the locations of the Investigative Committee and the court in support of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan. We expect a fair decision from the court. The Holy See will fight for the protection of the rights of the Church and the clergy using all legal means available.”