Father Artashes Hakobyan, spiritual pastor of the Church of St. Sahak Mesrop in Vosketap, issued a statement today expressing regret for yesterday, under threat, declaring his allyship with the tyrants who have come out against the church.
Father Artashes said that his statement today reflects the whole truth.
“Not a single line or thought, either one way or the other,” Father Artashes noted.
Father Artashes met with Father Ruben Vardapet Zargaryan, the vicar of the Masyatsotn Diocese, but made no comment.
Father Artashes calls on all clergy of the diocese, who are under threat, to show courage.
“The most important thing is a clear and just conscience,” said Father Artashes.
Father Artashes Artashes denied reports that he met yesterday with the former head of the diocese, Gevorg Saroyan.
“I had meetings, but I did not meet yesterday,” added Father Artashes Hakobyan.
It should be noted that the persecution of priests of the Masyatsotn Diocese began yesterday. The former head of the Masyatsotn Diocese, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, is attempting to intimidate those priests who have not joined the anti-church campaign and do not recognize Father Ruben Vardapet Zargaryan, their leader, whom His Holiness the Patriarch appointed vicar of the diocese.
The previous page of the Masyatsotn Diocese, to which Gevorg Saroyan belongs, reported that Father Artashes had joined the anti-church campaign. However, today the father stated that this statement was “a consequence of external influence, a misjudgment of reality and mental stress.”