Dear Believing Armenians, compatriots,
With a heavy heart, I write to express my deep concern and indignation regarding the reprehensible incident that took place on May 28th, a sacred day for all Armenians, at the Sardarapat Memorial Complex in Armenia. The police prevented the entourage of the Catholicos of All Armenians from entering the Sardarapat memorial complex. The Armenian Patriarch and clergy came to this holy place to pray for the welfare of our homeland, to commemorate the Armenian martyrs of the heroic battles of 1918.
The victory in Sardarapat, celebrated by the entire Armenian people, is a symbol of our unity, victories, and awakening. Many Armenian clerics participated in the construction of that victory, sacrificing their lives for the motherland. Both during the Soviet years and throughout the entire period of RA independence, there was no case where any citizen of Armenia was forbidden to visit the Sardarapat Memorial on May 28th, regardless of who was there at that time. This includes the visits of the Catholicos of All Armenians, whose last visit was pre-arranged and known to state institutions.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time such an incident has happened. It is clear that this has become a policy in Armenia, which is nothing but persecution and violence against the Armenian Church and its throne. The unacceptable and reprehensible behavior of the police is a disgrace to all Christian Armenians and millions of Armenian believers.
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We urge you, the believers and members of our community, to join us in condemning this move. It is very important that we stand together to demand that those who commit this act be held accountable. We demand that the Armenian authorities stop the persecution and violence against the Armenian Church. Let’s stand united to demand that such reprehensible acts be investigated and those responsible brought to justice. Your voice of protest is essential for justice and the preservation of our sacred traditions and rights.
With blessing,
Hovakim Bishop Manukyan,
Leader of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland
