Statement
The ongoing persecutions against the Church by the authorities of the Republic of Armenia have, in recent days, resulted in new unlawful acts.
Following the sacrilegious staging in the Monastery of Hovhannavank of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, carried out under the guise of a so-called Divine Liturgy and with the direct involvement of law enforcement bodies and other obstructing groups, the Monastery of Hovhannavank was seized. As a result, the ministry of the canonically appointed priests serving there, Fr. Sargis Sargsyan and Fr. Manuk Zeynalayan, was forcibly halted. At the same time, threats and calls for violence against the clergy mentioned above have been voiced by those same groups.
We deem it necessary to state that the actions being conducted in Hovhannavank under the appearance of worship and under the patronage of the authorities constitute a desecration, possess no spiritual validity, and are null and void. Accordingly, the Church of Hovhannavank is subject to re-consecration.
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The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will seek, by all means provided by law, the restoration of its rightful authority over the Church of Hovhannavank; the elimination of violations against freedom of conscience; the protection of the spiritual and canonical life of the faithful; and the safeguarding of the unhindered ministry of the clergy.
We pray that Almighty God preserve our country in peace and security, and keep our Holy Church steadfast. Amen.
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
