On July 21, after the collision between the police and citizens, Priest Asoghik and Priest Shmavon hurried to Khorenatsi Street. Aravot.am asked Fr. Shmavon, why he decided to visit the protest site and what role can the presence of a priest have in such cases. We also asked whether he has no fear that his nerves can give away because of the provocateurs.
“I knew that there are always provocateurs in such places but it was my decision to go there. I was thinking that it would be right for a priest to be here where his people is polarized because both the policemen and the women, boys and girls standing in front of them are our people and my Christian Armenian nation whom I love. I would not like to happen fratricidal splitting. I notified my community leader about my decision, Vicar of the Ararat Diocese Archbishop Kjoyan, received his blessing and went there. My spiritual brother Asoghik from the Holy See was also there,” – said Priest Shmavon.
Then he added, “Some liked and some did not like our presence, some were saying, you should have come earlier, and some were saying that we should not have come. We came at the time when unfortunately the collision had happened but with our presence, we tried to appease people. It worked out but there were provocateurs who were shouting and trying to throw stones, there were people who insulted, in every way it was felt that there are people who want to say words coming from their heart, and everyone was free to be expressed but we should not forget about decency and morality and the most important human feature of not offending the individual as the police officers are standing in front of them who are on duty to make their living. No need to provoke so that they would also make appropriate measures. In any case, the hours spent there possibly mitigated the tension between the two sides. For a moment, we prayed together, which served as a prayer for peace for the people, again provocateurs emerged. Unfortunately, I think that it might become something endless as long as people have not decided that it should be in peace. To the point, during the protest of “Electric Yerevan”, our clergy were in Baghramyan Avenue, there was peace, it looked like there were no provocateurs and people were sitting peacefully.
My greatest wish is to try to persuade people to avoid collisions, or else there are always people crawling who are trying to establish themselves during these realities, to moving towards being a leader and are trying to do things that bring no benefit. In any case, I and the other priests who have received the blessings of our diocese, when necessary we will be next to the people and will go to Khorenatsi street every day if needed,” – said priest Shmavon Ghevondyan of Ararat Patriarchal Diocese.
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Apropos, the Press Department of the Ararat Diocese told Aravot.am that the priests of the Ararat Diocese instructed by Archbishop are visiting hospitals since morning and have said healing prayers for the wounded, have talked to the doctors about the health condition of the injured.
Priest Shmavon also said the same that they have visited the police and citizens.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
