Father Serob Azaryan’s publication:
“When Discontent Becomes Sectarian Propaganda”
It is with deep sorrow that ten bishops of our Church have joined the anti-church campaign unleashed against the Church by the Armenian authorities, whose anti-canonical course has not only disrupted the spiritual life of Armenians worldwide but has also become a threat to the normal course of church life. Bishop Vazgen, who has assumed the role of representative of these bishops and a group of ungrateful former clergy, has recently been making statements, expressing opinions, and making public expressions that, to put it mildly, are based on ignorance of legal and canonical encyclopedic knowledge and resemble politicized rhetoric.
Outwardly, they talk about the Church, faith, people, and justice, but in reality, we are dealing with malicious ambitions and personal discontent, a disregard for the hierarchy. The Church, especially in these difficult times for the Fatherland, and a deliberate distortion and perversion of the Church’s sacred mission.
The leader, who left his diocese without a father, supposedly thinks of the entire Armenian Church, with his characteristically false, emotional, and people-pleasing statements. And the best he achieved was the infamous meeting of himself and his fellow priests on December 18 at the Mother See, for which, at least, instead of being ashamed, he declares: “The people gathered at the Mother See to express their opinion.” If by “people” he means students and teachers from schools and kindergartens organized and mobilized by the authorities, some wandering Communist Party members, a few drunks, and a rather small group of officials knocking on the doors of the cathedral and standing by the tombs of the patriarchs, then this picture can only be disappointing. This crowd became noticeable only because they broke down the doors of the Mother Cathedral and desecrated the tombs of the patriarchs, shouting and whistling blasphemous words.
Bishop Vazgen still does not understand that the life of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is governed by canons, the consecrated vows of the hierarchs, and clearly defined authorities. His public speeches are not the words of a concerned cleric, but an open sowing of discord and confrontation, a distortion of canonical facts, and propaganda directed against the ecclesiastical order. All of this is built on the victim narrative, the “us versus you” dividing line, and deliberate accusations that have no factual, legal, or other basis. Theological basis.
First, the See of Holy Etchmiadzin is a holy place, not a venue for rallies or pressure actions. Anyone who deliberately brings an organized crowd there under the pretext of organizing a “people’s trial” and “delivering” an indictment is not actually seeking dialogue, but is attempting to create public pressure and the image of a divided Church. This is not a pastoral approach, but a political strategy disguised as a priestly organization.
Second, the statement “the people do not recognize the Catholicos” is not only false but also laughably unfounded. The Armenian Apostolic Church does not recognize its leader by the number of participants in street rallies or by the loud tirades of the crowd. Anyone who doesn’t understand this, or pretends not to, is ignorant of the Church or is deliberately deceiving the public.
Thirdly, there’s talk of an “atmosphere of fear,” while in the same interview, open threats are made: “public pressure,” “other steps,” “no way out.” This “reverse side” reveals the speaker’s own way of thinking. Anyone who threatens the Head of the Church and then portrays themselves as oppressed is thereby revealing their own fears.
Fourthly, the one-sided interpretation of individual articles of the statutes of the Church’s highest governing bodies—the National Church Assembly, the Representative Assembly of the Church, and the Supreme Spiritual Council—is simply a falsification, a manipulation driven by self-interest. Rules are perceived and applied not selectively, according to egocentric discretion, but with common sense and reasonable logic. For example, if the term of office of a member of the assembly has expired and the assembly was not convened for objectively known reasons, this does not mean that he or she can declare themselves “invulnerable” and deem the patriarchal governance of the Catholicos of All Armenians illegitimate. The corresponding article of the same statute clearly defines the exclusive power reserved for the Catholicos of All Armenians for proper governance in situations of force majeure.
Fifth, targeted accusations. Statements by political forces such as “we have not offended you” sound hypocritical when, in the same speech, the Prime Minister is credited with “calling for the repose of the Catholicos.” This is an open admission of an attempt to involve state authorities in a change of ecclesiastical authority. This is dangerous not only for the Church, but also for the state.
Sixth, accusing the Catholicos of serving a foreigner is no longer criticism and is unjustifiable, especially when made without evidence
flattery, without a trial, or a church decision. This means declaring the Church an unjustifiable betrayal and a treacherous institution that speaks not of truth, but of personal vendettas.
Seventh, talk of “renewing” the Church, “moving toward modernity,” rings hollow when accompanied by attempts at division, threats, and hatred. The Church is not renewed by blackmail. The Church is not purified by noise. The Church is not saved by “sending the Catholicos to retirement” in the public square.
Finally, and most dangerously, the idea that “the Rubicon has been crossed” and “there is no turning back” is a downright schismatic way of thinking. In the Church, there is always a way back, through humility, repentance, and penitence. Anyone who declares this path closed places themselves outside the Church.
Fabricated views and thoughts born of hatred toward His Holiness Vazgen serve neither Holy Etchmiadzin, nor the faithful, nor the unity of the Church. They serve only one goal: a change of power in the Church, through a non-canonical, non-traditional, and non-Christian path. And the end of this path has always been the same throughout history: division, destruction, discredit, and disgrace.
The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is above the ambitions of any individual and has deeper roots than any high-profile interview.