1in.am On August 2, opposition members of the National Assembly visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They were received by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians. This was reported by the information system of the Mother See. In his speech, Karekin II specifically noted that the "external and internal challenges facing our country today imply new trials, the possible paths to overcoming which require maximum efforts, the unity of state and national structures, and the collaboration of skilled figures in various professional fields."
The Catholicos assessed the situation as "greatly concerning," referring to the "lack of solidarity prevailing in interethnic life, destructive harmful actions, societal division, political polarization, the distortion of sacred values and perceptions, as well as the illegal unconstitutional actions against the Armenian Church that hinder the Church's fruitful mission in the national context," and concluded that as a result, "the foundations of national unity are being undermined, the relations between the Diaspora and Armenia are disrupted, and the strengthening of democracy and legality is being hindered..."
The recipient of the Catholicos's "address" is undoubtedly Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the "Civil Contract" party. It is recalled that during the pre-election period, Karekin II visited Samvel Karapetyan, the leader of the "Strong Armenia" alliance. On that occasion, the information system of the Mother See conveyed to the press that he wished Samvel Karapetyan to continue his significant contribution to the benefit of the homeland and the brightness of the life of the worldwide Armenian community, characterized by "love for the Church and patriotism."
Narek Karapetyan, the leader of the "Strong Armenia" faction, while discussing the ideological foundation of state potential, emphasized the "uniqueness of the Armenian people as a global nation." Apparently, the Catholicos of All Armenians had this in mind when he noted the "undermining of the foundations of national unity and the relations between the Diaspora and Armenia." In fact, this means that Karekin II recognizes the current authorities of Armenia as "divisive of the global nation," while "Strong Armenia" aims to "restore the status of the global nation."
The ecclesiastical vocabulary and style employed by the Catholicos do not obscure the political meaning of his speech. And this is the most dangerous aspect, as the current authorities were formed by the votes of citizens. To qualify the authorities as "undermining the foundations of national unity" is the same as recognizing those who voted for them as "divisive." Karekin II, however, is not the leader of the opposition or the national structures of the Diaspora, but rather the Catholicos of All Armenians, and all followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church are his spiritual children. On August 2, unfortunately, the current pontiff of the Mother See divided the citizens of the Republic of Armenia into "insiders and outsiders." If the Catholicos does not recognize the will of the citizens, as expressed in the voting on June 7, and "addresses" the authorities formed on that basis, then he does not recognize them as spiritual children. This is precisely a dangerously extreme "divide." Especially since Karekin II has also effectively announced "internal challenges."
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
