Russian church condemns pressure on Armenian clergy

PanARMENIAN.Net - On January 28, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, visited the Armenian Apostolic Church complex in Moscow and met with Archbishop Ezras, head of the Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan. The meeting was reported by the Moscow Patriarchate and covered by Radar Armenia.

Metropolitan Anthony expressed serious concern over the Armenian authorities’ ongoing attempts to openly interfere in church affairs. He described efforts to incite artificial divisions among believers as unacceptable.

During the discussion, the Metropolitan extended his support to Archbishop Ezras amid growing pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Archbishop Ezras informed his guest about the current situation of the Armenian Apostolic Church and thanked the Moscow Patriarchate for its solidarity.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, along with bishops and archbishops calling for the Catholicos’ resignation, issued a statement urging support for reforms in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pashinyan read the statement live on Facebook, after which the endorsing clergy signed it. He announced the formation of a coordinating council tasked with organizing the Church’s reform process, to be expanded only by unanimous decision.