The Exarchate of Western Europe of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) has issued a statement condemning the criminal prosecution of clergy in Armenia and expressing support for Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. The document outlines the exarchate's official position on the current situation and expresses concern about what is happening in Armenia.
The appeal says that the dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church in European countries are watching the developments in their homeland with "deep concern and alarm." It is noted that the church institution has served as a pillar of the Christian faith, national identity and unity of the Armenian people for centuries.
The authors of the appeal called on the Armenian authorities to be guided by the principles of human rights and the rule of law when considering cases concerning the clergy. They also called for refraining from actions that could call into question the mission of the Church or disrupt its internal order. The document urges compliance with established procedures and legal mechanisms in resolving the conflict.
The statement states that the heads of three dioceses, Bagrat Galstanyan, Mikael Ajapakhyan and Mkrtych Proshyan, as well as the head of the office of the Aragatsotn diocese, Priest Garegin Arsenyan, have currently been arrested in various criminal cases. These facts are cited as grounds for concern and appeal to the competent authorities.
Earlier, the Catholicos of All Armenians defrocked the abbot of Hovhannavank. The rector, despite the decision of the head of the Church and with the support of the authorities, refused to leave his post and on October 26 held a liturgy attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, members of the government and their supporters. The text of the Exarchate's statement contains a call for a peaceful settlement and observance of the canonical order in the interests of preserving the unity and stability of church life.