His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in a message widely distributed on social media on Monday, called on the government of Armenia to cease efforts to meddle in the Armenian Church and end its efforts to divide the nation and the church.
Since the government’s crusade against the Holy See of Etchmiadzin began earlier this year, Catholicos Aram I has made several appeals, voicing his concern about the ramifications of such a campaign on not only the citizens of Armenia, but the entire Armenian Nation.
Below is an unofficial translation of Aram I’s message.
In recent months, we have followed with deep concern the troubling developments taking place around Holy Etchmiadzin. On various occasions and through various means, we have tried to calm the turbulent situation and to encourage mutual understanding—particularly warning against steps leading to the division of the Church.
Today, in reality, the situation has become more dangerous, fraught with unpredictable consequences. The firm preservation of the integrity and internal unity of Holy Etchmiadzin, and our Church in general, and keeping it away from internal and external threats, is a National priority. Guided by this deep awareness and commitment, we appeal:
To the authorities of Armenia: To stay away from the unconstitutional and, therefore, unacceptable and condemnable steps of interfering in the internal life and issues of Holy Etchmiadzin and sowing seeds of division within the Church through various means—steps that can lead our Church, nation, and Homeland to self-destruction.
To Holy Etchmiadzin: To address, with all possible urgency, patience, and wisdom, the dangerous rifts emerging and being created within the monastic life, and to unite around His Holiness the Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as around the monastic vow and principles, and to examine existing issues with a brotherly spirit, through canonical process and realistic approach—with the determination to produce appropriate decisions.
The Church is the house of God and, at the same time, the sacred house of the nation. Every Armenian has the obligation and right to be concerned and to express views regarding issues affecting the Church, but with a constructive and edifying approach and guided by the aspiration to renew the Church and make its servant mission more vital.
His Holiness ARAM I
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia
