«Not Necessary and Not Timely»: The Primate of Tavush Diocese on Tsarukyan's Initiative

The initiative of Gagik Tsarukyan, president of the Bright Armenia Party, and his family to build a 33-meter statue of Jesus Christ in Armenia has sparked intense discussions and comments.

In an interview with Aravot.am, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the Primate of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, shared his perspective on the matter: "This phenomenon is absolutely unrelated to our spiritual traditions, it is neither necessary nor timely." In response to the comment that Gagik Tsarukyan justifies his decision by stating that we are the first Christian nation, and many countries have a statue of Christ while we do not, Bishop Bagrat replied, "We are the first Christian nation, and we have never had such a thing, nor have we had the need for it, not that we were unable to have it."