The Catholicos of All Armenians has convened a council of Armenian Apostolic Church bishops in Austria. As I understand it, His Holiness seeks to prevent further escalation of the situation and possible clashes. Pashinyan’s goal, however, is exactly the opposite—not only in this matter, but in all other political issues as well: to fuel an atmosphere of hostility, hatred, and confrontation.
Taking this into account, Garegin II’s decision is the right one. Had the bishops’ council been held in Etchmiadzin, Pashinyan would have sent there, on those very days, plainclothes NSS officers, provocateurs, local thugs obedient to “authorities,” as well as employees of municipalities, regional administrations, and other state institutions, in order to stir up unrest at the Mother See. Violence against clergy and believers could not be ruled out.
Why am I so certain of this? Because in recent months the Church—as an institution, as a hierarchical structure—has been subjected to attacks by the authorities unprecedented in their brutality. Much has already been written about this. In addition to administrative, coercive, and judicial pressure, blatant abuses are also being committed, so to speak, “on the ground.”
Let me list a few well-known cases. On December 18, a Nikolist mob, led by renegade bishops and assisted by the police, stormed the Mother Cathedral. On December 25, during a Pashinyan-style “liturgy” in Garni, a municipal employee called for the Catholicos to be “stoned to death.” On December 31, in the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Talin, the clergy’s performance of the Nrnօրհնեք (Blessing of Pomegranates) rite was obstructed by the head of the Talin community and his subordinates. Naturally, these actions attracted no attention from law enforcement, because the authorities not only encourage but also organize these blatant violations of the law.
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Under such circumstances, convening a bishops’ council in Etchmiadzin would have been extremely risky. Austria’s law enforcement agencies and courts are not in Pashinyan’s pocket. I assume they would not allow an “official landing force”—even if one were dispatched—to organize disturbances, and would ensure the normal conduct of the council.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
