Mother See Responds to Pashinyan's Statements

In response to a query from News.am, Rev. Esaias Khachaturyan, the director of the information system of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, stated that the approaches and formulations expressed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his interview do not contribute in any way to the resolution of these vital issues.

Recall that in his interview on November 11, Nikol Pashinyan stated that new state-church relations are emerging. He noted, "As a result of all this, perhaps, an opportunity will eventually be created for the church to engage in its fundamental functions and to better address the spiritual agenda."

Rev. Esaias Khachaturyan emphasized that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has repeatedly addressed societal polarization and the existing tensions in the country in various formats. He indicated, "As we have called to make every effort to eliminate dividing lines in national life, to restore a healthy atmosphere in the country through the unity of the people, and to overcome the existential and security challenges faced by Armenia and Artsakh with the involvement of all national groups."

He reminded that the Supreme Spiritual Council had last made such an appeal to the RA authorities. He stated, "The approaches and formulations expressed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his interview do not contribute in any way to the resolution of these vital issues. Moreover, through elastic reasoning, it seems that there is an attempt to justify and even sanctify the negative attitude of the authorities towards the Church, cloaking it under the guise of so-called 'new relations.'"