Archbishop Bagrat calls for unity to safeguard nation’s future

PanARMENIAN.Net - The leader of Sacred Struggle movement, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan warns that a peace deal might be quietly signed during the time of summer vacations, hidden “under the veil of darkness.” He urges people to set aside disagreements and unite for Armenia’s future, invoking the symbolic betrayal by a “peaceful kiss.”

In a letter from the detention facility, Archbishop Galstanyan responded to reports that Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders may meet in Dubai in late July. He feared a document could be signed “during people’s vacations so it won’t even be noticed under the cloak of darkness,” reminiscent of the November 9, 2020 night deal.

The letter continues, referencing the proverb “from the fish thief to Istanbul,” and quoting a community leader: “the world has turned upside‑down.” In today’s twisted world, those hidden “fish thieves” and various animalistic caricatures can freely speak about him, his supporters, the church, businessman Samvel Karapetyan, and make geopolitical analyses.

Recent reports about the upcoming Aliyev‑Pashinyan meeting in Dubai confirm earlier warnings that the so‑called “peace agreement” or “black document” was being prepared in Istanbul to be signed in late July or early August, content still hidden from the Armenian public. He claimed he had warned about the timing and place as early as June 18—before the Istanbul meeting—about a possible signature at the end of July or beginning of August.

“Now do you understand why we are in prisons? The real reason is to eliminate possible centers of resistance,” he writes. “Indeed, it’s no secret that I and many have publicly declared that street‑level peaceful civil disobedience is a necessity and demanded to expel this evil from our country.”

He emphasizes that the Church is the last bastion capable of uniting society and preventing the final surrender of the state. He lists actions conducted under cover of darkness:

• November 9, 2020 night
• October 6, 2022
• September 19‑24, 2023 (hand‑over of Artsakh)
• April 19, 2024 night
• the surrender of Black Lake and the Goris‑Kapan road, among others.

He draws a parallel: “Do you recall what happened under the cover of night… Judas betrayed Jesus with a peaceful kiss. Now our lives are betrayed with the same ‘peaceful kiss.’”

He concludes with a direct appeal: now is no longer the time for analysis, expert commentary, political or other divisions. “Lay everything aside and unite for Armenia—for honor and dignity, for our martyrs, our sufferings, our dreams and aspirations that are greater than our temporary lives. Victory has no alternative…”

Middle East Eye reported that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are expected to meet in Dubai in late July to resume talks. Their last meeting was in May in Albania during the European Political Community summit, where they agreed to continue dialogue. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed his country’s support for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia “that takes into account Baku’s legitimate demands.”