The Ruling Political Force Continues Its Malicious Agenda against the Armenian Church: Mother See

The Mother See has issued a statement: On October 16, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a gathering of bishops serving in the structures of the Mother See and diocesan leaders from Armenia took place in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Particular attention was paid to the reprehensible actions undertaken by the law enforcement agencies on October 15 in the Aragatsotn diocese. In this regard, the bishops released a statement.

STATEMENT
We were informed with indignation that on October 15, representatives of the law enforcement system conducted illegal actions against the diocesan leader, spiritual servants, and secular employees in the Aragatsotn diocese, accompanied by unjustified and baseless searches, deception during detentions, secrecy regarding the whereabouts of the detained individuals, and cases of denying access to legal assistance.

It has become apparent today that in the same shameful manner, detention has been applied to the diocesan leader His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and Father Garen Arsenyan, with a request for detention presented regarding the chief accountant of the diocese.

It is evident that the ruling political force continues to be committed to the implementation of its malicious plan to dismantle the Armenian Church, targeting clerics and utilizing the levers of power to carry out oppressive and discrediting actions against spiritual servants and supporters of the Church.

These anti-church illegal actions blatantly violate and disregard the spiritual feelings of our faithful people, churches have been closed, previously scheduled religious ceremonies have been canceled, and burials have been conducted without priests.

The full responsibility for this painful situation lies with the current authorities and personally with the Prime Minister of the country, who has long been spreading hate speech and intolerance towards the Church and its clergy, making blatant encroachments on the Church's centuries-old customs. Thus, the political nature of these obvious unlawful criminal processes becomes evident, as they immediately follow the Prime Minister's statements targeting the Armenian Church.

We urge the judicial and law enforcement bodies of the Republic of Armenia to act solely within the framework of the law and not to succumb to the whims and group interests of state officials who abuse their official powers. State levers must serve solely the crucial goals of national security, public solidarity, and welfare, and not become a tool of vendetta that fosters internal enmity and division.

We urge our spiritual servants and our faithful people to remain steadfast in their faith and prayer, to not fear dangers and threats, and to make every effort against the injustices and illegalities present in the country. May the Lord grant strength and power to our imprisoned brothers and children, keep our country and the Holy Apostolic Church unshaken today and always. Amen.