Since yesterday, various individuals, including municipal administration employees and individuals considered close and influential to priests, have contacted a number of priests in the Masyatsotn Diocese. These individuals have attempted, through various means—friendly persuasion, offers of more favorable terms of service, and threats or pressure—to coerce the priests into joining the former head of the diocese and accepting his leadership. This was stated in a statement released by the Masyatsotn Diocese.
“There have also been instances where individuals, particularly community administration employees, citing a court decision, claimed that priests were obligated to leave their churches, presenting this demand as a decision by Bishop Gevorg.
We inform you that the priests have not succumbed to the aforementioned exhortations, proposals, or pressure. They clearly stated that their ministry is governed solely by the statutes, rules, and regulations of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, and that they are called to steadfastly uphold the established order of the Church, regardless of external influence.
The threatening demands were directed primarily at priests in the Ararat and Vedi regions.
We present a testimony: “Some time ago, I came from the village headman, and he conveyed to me the bishop’s words: he says that if I do not report to the bishop within two days, he will fire me from my job,” the statement reads.