I Forgive Him Christianly, May God Also Forgive Him for His Lies: Alen Simonian

The President of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, has responded to the statements made by the abbot of the Tatev monastery, Father Sahak. Notably, Father Sahak denied reports that he had met specifically with Alen Simonian, indicating that their encounter was coincidental.

“As a resident of Artsakh, after losing Artsakh, what should I talk about with these people? I have nothing to say. I cannot approach someone who has surrendered Artsakh to the Turks. I just greeted him and moved on. I have had no desire to talk, pray, or dine with anyone from this group, nor do I have any such desire, and I will not,” Father Sahak had stated.

In response to this statement, Alen Simonian released a video declaring that Father Sahak is lying. He remarked, “I want to share with you an experience I just had related to the fact that I saw a certain Father Sahak, whom I met at the Tatev monastery when we were visiting the Syunik region. He gave an interview and said things that, to be honest, evoked both pity and, at the same time, a great sense of regret and laughter.”

“Father Sahak said that our meeting was coincidental, and in response to the journalist's questions, he stated that he cannot go and talk to someone who has surrendered Artsakh to the Turks, that he just greeted and moved on. I have nothing to discuss or engage with any of this group,” he reiterated. “He is unfortunately lying and doing so in a very poor manner. The meeting was very pleasant for me. Father Sahak welcomed me alongside my highly respected Father Mikayel, later not allowing Father Mikayel any interaction with me. He personally showed me the entire area, and we discussed all possible issues, and Father Sahak also told me about the works being carried out there.”

“Our communication was so warm that in the end, I even offered to see if I could somehow assist financially with construction. Father Sahak gladly accepted and gave his number to my advisor so that we can arrange for me to participate in that financial expense, which delighted Father Sahak greatly,” recounted Alen Simonian.

According to the President of the National Assembly, Father Sahak accompanied him to the car and they parted very warmly. “One should not speak lies. One of the commandments states not to bear false witness against your neighbor, and I am saddened that a church figure has such lack of courage and is so fearful and so depressed that our normal communication has caused him to breach the commandment. I forgive him Christianly, may God also forgive him for his lies,” said the National Assembly President.

“I do not want to believe that such conduct should continue and have a place in our Church. Once again, I want to say, our church is full; our Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is filled with numerous decent individuals to whom I send my greetings and express my gratitude for their work, my respect to all of you. As for Father Sahak, may God forgive him, I forgive him,” concluded the National Assembly President.