The activities of the Diocese of Aragatsotn of the Armenian Apostolic Church have been hindered due to illegal actions, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
“At dawn on October 15 of this year, based on false information publicized by Father Aram Asatryan, a pastor of Hovhannavank [Monastery] and a report from Daniel Ioannisyan, chair of the ‘Union of Informed Citizens’ NGO, representatives of the law enforcement system conducted searches in the headquarters of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, the residences of the primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn Archbishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the priests, and staff of the Diocese of Aragatsotn.
According to available information, the primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, 12 diocesan priests (…), the accountant, treasurer, and clerk of Diocese of Aragatsotn have been taken into custody.
The illegal criminal prosecution of the primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, the priests, and the staff serving in the diocese is yet another manifestation of the [Armenian] authorities’ coordinated anti-church campaign. Such condemnable actions clearly pursued the malicious intent to disrupt the normal activities of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church, damage the Church’s standing, and create a climate of fear and anxiety among clergy, believers, and the broader public.
Due to these illegal actions, the activities and liturgical life of the Diocese [of Aragatsotn] have been hindered, the ministry of spiritual shepherds has been disrupted.
By applying such repressive measures characteristic of totalitarian systems, the RA [i.e. the Republic of Armenia] authorities are grossly violating the right to religious freedom, offending the religious feelings of the faithful, and continuing to spread hatred — deepening public division.
We call on our clergy and the faithful people not to succumb to provocations, to stand firm in the positions of defending the Church. It is not possible to suppress spiritual ministers and the faithful people through intrigues, threats, and repression.
We pray for the peace of our homeland and for the safe life of our people,” reads the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin’s statement.
