Levon Ter-Petrosyan Appeals to the Public

Dear compatriots, I urge you not to participate in the rally planned by the Prime Minister in Echmiadzin under any circumstances. This was written by the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

“Warning No. 2
Recently, Prime Minister Nikol has once again threatened not to abandon his intention to hold a large rally in Echmiadzin. Previously, after my letter addressed to him, he silently abandoned the idea of holding a major rally in the central square of Echmiadzin during the Vardavar festival. I would like to remind you of the content of that letter: ‘Dear Mr. Prime Minister, while there is still time, cancel your decision to hold a rally in Vagharshapat and immediately release the political prisoners, first and foremost, Bagrat and Mikael Srpazan and Samvel Karapetyan. I am confident that this step will be seen not as a sign of weakness by both our people and the international community, but as a manifestation of the wisdom befitting a statesman. Otherwise, Mr. Prime Minister, you will be the sole responsible party for any potential clashes and bloodshed, earning the eternal notoriety of Father Gapon.' 

In conclusion, dear compatriots, I call on you not to participate in the rally planned by the Prime Minister to avoid its unpredictable consequences. Do not forget: the authorities are not created to exploit and endanger you, but to ensure the welfare and safety of your families” (iLur.am, 23.07.2025).

Judging by the media responses, this prevented an unavoidable clash and bloodshed – something that could never be forgiven to the radiant Majesty. However, Nikol would not be Nikol if he were to swallow that humiliation and not attempt, in his characteristic style, to threaten the Mother See again, not realizing in the least that this move is a challenge to the entire Armenian people, and also not acknowledging that he is merely the Prime Minister of Armenia, not of the entire Armenian nation.

Now let’s see what he specifically said during the National Assembly session held on September 10 of this year: ‘I have announced that I envision the culmination taking place in the central square of Echmiadzin in a major spiritual event. We are currently discussing the timing, organizational, and content-related matters. There is an important aspect to this: it must have spiritual content. Lately, I am spending most of my time on this, presenting that the purpose of this process is not intrigue or solving personnel issues, but the goal is exclusively spiritual, the spiritual renewal of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. This culmination will not be political or revolutionary; it will be exclusively a spiritual event based on Christian values. There will be no political calls, speeches, only speeches of spiritual content. …There will be no compromises, it is excluded, Ktritch Nersisyan must go. The sooner he goes, the better; he will not help or save anything.' (aravot.am, 10.09.2025)

I find it necessary to repeat the following call from my cited letter: ‘Dear compatriots, I urge you not to participate in the rally planned by the Prime Minister to avoid its unpredictable consequences. Do not forget: the authorities are not created to exploit and endanger you, but to ensure the welfare and safety of your families,’” wrote Levon Ter-Petrosyan.