Armenian Church opposes agreement with Azerbaijan

While discussions on border demarcation and certain activities on the ground persist as part of endeavors to achieve conclusive peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Pashinyan administration faces vehement resistance from ecclesiastical circles.

Some citizens and politicians organized by the Armenian Apostolic Church started a march to the capital on May 4 from Tavush and from Gyumri in the Shirak region.

In his press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message to the head of the Church, Catholicos Garegin II, whom he accused of “lying and and being dishonest” said, “It is clear that the leader of this process is the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the one who will benefit the most is the opposition leader Robert Kocharian.”

Asking the church to stay away from government affairs, Pashinyan stated that a change of government can only be achieved through elections.

The demonstrators of the "Tavush for the Homeland" march, under the leadership of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the religious figure representing the Tavush region, intend to organize a demonstration in the capital, Yerevan, tomorrow. It is anticipated that the rally will be joined by factions that participated in the march led by the clergy in Gyumri.

Catholicos Garegin II expressed his support for Archbishop Galstanyan's initiative, while the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Church issued a statement asking Pashinyan to stop the border demarcation work.

Aram I, the highest-ranking Armenian cleric in Lebanon, also expressed support for the church in Yerevan, while Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, who was previously in Karabakh, said, “It is time to revive the Aryan spirit.” 

Furthermore, Armenian communities in the California will march towards the Consulate General of Armenia tomorrow evening following gatherings scheduled at the church.

Source: AA