No Clergy Member in Shirak Diocese Has Agreed to Omit the Name of the Catholicos: Father Husik

In a conversation with reporters on December 5, Father Husik Ghukasyan, the spiritual leader of the Church of the Holy Mother of God (Seven Wounds) in Gyumri, stated that discussions need to be held to clarify under what conditions Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan intends to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.

According to him, there have been reports in recent days that some individuals, including a few clergy members, have been proposed to omit the name of the Catholicos and the leader, but no agreement has been reached. Father Husik emphasized that no clergy member in the Shirak Diocese has consented to such a proposal.

When asked how a local priest could be deprived of the opportunity to conduct the liturgy if another clergy member from elsewhere officiated that day, he pointed out that bishops and priests from other dioceses must receive permission from the diocesan leader, and the local clergy must be informed about the visit. He noted that none of the three clergy serving at the Holy Mother of God Church were aware of such an initiative.

Father Husik stated that permission had to be granted by Bishop Mikhail, which could be communicated through legal representatives.

Responding to the comment regarding the prior announcement by Father Garnik about officiating the liturgy and whether there had been any interference or prohibition, Father Husik said that he continues to serve at the Seven Wounds because that is his appointed place. He expressed that if he were forcibly removed from the church, it would signify an attempt at usurpation, which would also violate the rights of individuals who are set to be baptized during that time.

He added that he has weddings scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and in the case of such interference, the baptisms would not be able to proceed.

Father Husik mentioned that Father Garnik's absence was unexpected for him, as he had sought permission from the Catholicos to officiate the inaugural liturgy here long ago. He stated that he had not spoken to Father Garnik and does not know the reason for his absence.

When asked whether he would participate in the liturgy if it were officiated by another clergy member, Father Husik responded that it is important for everything to be properly planned. “The church keeps its doors open to everyone; anyone can come, enter, and participate. The Armenian church is the church of the Armenian people because everything here is in Armenian,” he emphasized.