Armenian authorities` actions aimed at weakening AAC coincide with  anti-Armenian agendas in region - NDP

ArmInfo. The Armenian authorities' actions aimed at weakening the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) coincide with anti-Armenian agendas in the region and contribute to the interests of forces seeking to destroy the  foundations of Armenian identity.

This is stated in a statement  received by ArmInfo from the Council of the National Democratic Pole  (NDP), in connection with the Armenian authorities' recent  anti-church actions. "In recent days, we have observed alarming steps  by the current regime aimed at increasing pressure on the Holy  Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). Of particular concern is the  termination of the activities of the Spiritual Primacy of the AAC in  the Armenian Armed Forces by decree of Defense Minister Suren  Papikyan. These clergy have stood by the servicemen for many years,  supporting them during the most difficult moments of their service,  during wartime and post-war trials. This step deals a serious blow to  the spiritual security of soldiers and weakens the spiritual and  moral environment within the Armed Forces," the NDP believes.

The Council also condemned the initiation of criminal cases aimed at  restricting the free movement of high- ranking AAC clergy and  preventing their participation in the Episcopal Assembly scheduled in  Austria for February 16-19. The NDP called these actions interference  in the affairs of the Church and its canonical life. "These actions  fit into the broader policy of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan, who, under the guise of 'church reform,' in reality seeks  to undermine the independence of the Armenian Apostolic Church and  turn it into a structure dependent on the government, having lost its  authority and national mission," the NDP emphasized.

In this regard, the Council recalled that the Constitution of Armenia  clearly enshrines the principle of separation of Church and State,  meaning that the state has no right to interfere in matters of church  governance and internal affairs. The NDP expressed its conviction  that the current actions constitute a gross violation of the  Constitution of Armenia and internationally recognized principles of  religious freedom and human rights. "The Armenian Apostolic Church  has been a key element of the Armenian people's existence and  resistance for centuries, and any attack on it strikes a blow to the  entire nation. We call on civil society organizations and  international partners not to remain silent and to clearly assess  this dangerous policy being carried out against the Armenian  Apostolic Church. Armenian society must remain vigilant in the face  of existing threats and remain loyal to the Armenian Apostolic Church  and its leadership," the Council concluded.

As a reminder, on January 31, six representatives of the Supreme  Spiritual Council and the secretary recording the Council's meeting  were summoned to the Investigative Committee as defendants under Part  2 of Article 507 (failure to execute a judicial act or obstruction of  its execution, committed through the use of official authority -  ed.). They were placed under travel restrictions.

The Mother See of Etchmiadzin condemned the authorities' latest  interference in the internal affairs of the Armenian Church,  recalling that it violates the Constitution of Armenia. The Armenian  Apostolic Church stated that the persecution of members of the  Supreme Spiritual Council, in particular the travel ban, is a gross  violation of fundamental human rights enshrined in both Armenian  state laws and international treaties. The Armenian Church expressed  its conviction that the goal is to undermine the normal activities of  the Armenian Apostolic Church, including obstructing the episcopal  convocation scheduled to take place in Austria. In this regard, the  Armenian Apostolic Church called on the Armenian authorities and law  enforcement agencies to act exclusively within the framework of the  country's Constitution and legislation, to uphold the highest  principles of justice and truth, and to respect the Armenian  Apostolic Church's right to autonomy.

Earlier, the Investigative Committee of Armenia, in violation of the  Armenian Constitution, opened a criminal case following the decision  of His Holiness Karekin II to defrock Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who had  joined the Armenian authorities' anti-church campaign.