Aram I condemns persecution of church in Armenia

Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has criticized actions against the Armenian Church in Armenia during remarks following a liturgy at the Holy Mother of God Church in Nicosia, Cyprus, according to a post on the “Cypriot Armenians” Facebook page.

“When there is injustice in Armenia, Antelias says no. When values are disregarded and symbols are ignored, Antelias says no, and has always said no. When the Church and clergy in Armenia face various forms of persecution and arrest, Antelias has had and continues to have the courage to say no. When supreme national ideals are ignored to the detriment of our people’s interests, Antelias has said no and will continue to say no,” Aram I stated.

Currently under arrest are Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement; Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan of Shirak; Bishop Mkrtich of the Aragatsotn Diocese; and Bishop Arshak, Chancellor of the Mother See.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin recently announced the temporary postponement of the Bishop Synod originally scheduled for December 10–12, citing “the current situation in Armenia, particularly the repressions against clergy, including arrests.”