Aram I says Armenia’s current atmosphere deeply shameful

PanARMENIAN.Net - Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has strongly condemned the deteriorating atmosphere in Armenia.

“Shame, a thousand times shame on the unhealthy and anti-national climate currently prevailing in our beloved homeland, Armenia. Armenian words are not enough to express my pain and protest. The atmosphere recently created in two nation-building institutions—Holy Etchmiadzin and the National Assembly—is deeply shameful and condemnable,” Aram I stated.

He emphasized his readiness to visit Armenia to meet with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and other officials to discuss ways to overcome the crisis.

“For nearly six years, I have unfortunately not visited the Homeland. In recent days, I thought deeply about going to Armenia to help, at the very least, calm the storm that has emerged. However, the ongoing low-level expressions on social media and in the National Assembly—along with comparisons distorting our moral, spiritual, and national values, and the arrests taking place—do not encourage me to take steps toward the Homeland.

Nonetheless, I remain committed to visiting the Homeland at some point and consulting with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and other responsible officials to seek acceptable solutions to bring Armenia out of the current severe situation,” the Catholicos said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently wrote on his Facebook page that “The house of Christ has been seized by an immoral, anti-national group and must be liberated,” adding that he will “lead that liberation.”

The World Council of Churches has issued a call for solidarity, expressing support for the Armenian Apostolic Church.