The Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church's Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan, has accused the Armenian authorities of attempting to obstruct the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II's departure from the country and his meetings with believers abroad. He made this statement in a message addressed to the faithful on the occasion of Garegin II's 27th anniversary of enthronement.
"Today, the Armenian authorities, who pursue a policy of persecution against the Church, have deprived us of the joy of sharing this day with His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians," said the archbishop.
According to him, the Catholicos was supposed to attend the celebratory event, convey the blessing of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the believers, and deliver his patriarchal message.
However, as the archbishop noted, the authorities are trying to prevent his departure from Armenia.
"The authorities acting against the Church are attempting, through illegal and baseless accusations, to hinder His Holiness from leaving the borders of Armenia and visiting his spiritual children living in various countries around the world," he declared.
The archbishop emphasized that despite the emerging difficulties, the Armenian Apostolic Church will continue to unite the faithful.
"Whatever trials befall the Church, whatever obstacles arise on its path, all of this is transient. Times and rulers change, but the Church continues to unite its children around the word of God," Nersisyan stated.
He also called on the faithful to pray for Garegin II, wishing him spiritual strength, power, and God's assistance in his patriarchal service. At the end of the message, the archbishop urged the church followers to reaffirm their loyalty to the Homeland, the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the heritage of their ancestors.
