The Question of Revoking Father Aram's Position is Under Review by the Disciplinary Committee, Says Father Esayi

This condemnable reality that we all face is a manifestation of an anti-church campaign, which the Mother See has had the opportunity to address by condemning the persecutions and repressions against clergymen. This was stated by Father Esayi Kahana Artyunyan in a conversation with 24news.

He noted that disrupting the normal operations of the church is unacceptable, also referring to the coincidence that this mainly follows the statements of the spiritual leader of Azerbaijan. “What is more concerning is the fact that a wave of increased repressions seems to begin after the Prime Minister’s statements, which we have witnessed recently. Regarding the statements coming from Azerbaijan, concerning the statements of their spiritual leader: naturally, in all cases, the Armenian Apostolic Church is today the national institution that inevitably troubles both the authorities in Azerbaijan and the political direction that the current government has adopted in our country,” he stated.

When asked whether there are concerns that the repressions will continue and spread to other issues, he responded, “There are certainly concerns, but I cannot make predictions. We hope that it will not take on broader proportions, but nonetheless, there are concerns.” Speaking about the question of public interest regarding why Father Aram has not yet been defrocked, he said, “I cannot answer that question; it is under review by the disciplinary committee, and accordingly, there will be relevant decisions and clarifications.”