Cathedral Responds to Detention of Priests

The unlawful actions have hindered the activities of the diocese. This was stated in a message released by the Mother See.

“In the early hours of October 15, representatives of law enforcement agencies conducted searches in the diocese's leadership office, as well as in the residences of the diocesan leader His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and the priests and staff of the Aragatsotn Diocese, based on false information published by Deacon Aram Asatryan from the Hovhannavank Monastery and a report by Daniel Ioannisyan, the president of the Public Alliance of Informed Citizens.

According to available information, the leader of the Aragatsotn Diocese, 12 priests including Reverend Paren Arakelyan, Reverend Hayk Kocharyan, Reverend Mkrtich Yeranyan, Reverend Manuk Zeynalyan, Reverend Ghevond Gapoyan, Reverend Hayk Sahakyan, Reverend Sargis Sargsyan, Reverend Garegin Arsenyan, Reverend Narek Sargsyan, Reverend Oshh Khayrapetyan, Deacon Vrtanes Baghalyan, and Reverend Hambardzum Danielyan, along with the diocese's accountant, treasurer, and administrator, have all been detained.

In gross violation of the law, the whereabouts of the diocesan leader His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Reverend Sargis Sargsyan, Reverend Narek Sargsyan, Reverend Oshh Khayrapetyan, Reverend Hambardzum Danielyan, and Deacon Vrtanes Baghalyan were kept secret for hours, depriving them of any opportunity for legal assistance.

The unlawful criminal prosecution actions against the diocesan leader, the priests serving in the diocese, and the staff are yet another manifestation of a systematic anti-church campaign incited by the authorities. Such condemnable actions clearly aim to disrupt the normal functioning of the Church, undermine its authority, and create an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the clergy, believers, and the broader public.

Due to these unlawful actions, the activities and liturgical life of the diocese have been obstructed, and the service of spiritual shepherds has been hindered. By employing similar methods of repression typical of totalitarian systems, the authorities of the Republic of Armenia are grossly violating the right to religious freedom, offending the religious feelings of believers, and continuing to spread hatred, deepening social division.

We call upon our clergy and the faithful community not to succumb to provocations and to remain steadfast in their defense of the Church. It is impossible to intimidate the clergy and the faithful people with deceit, threats, and repression. We pray for peace in our homeland and the safety of our people,” the message states.