Patriarchate of Constantinople Statement on Banning Pashinyan’s Entry into the Istanbul Patriarchate Building

Last week, when Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was in Istanbul, no one from the Armenian Patriarchate attended his meeting with the community nor was anyone at the cathedral welcoming him.

The Patriarchate of Constantinople issued a statement on June 25, explaining why what happened was a proper response. The Patriarchate said that the Prime Minister of Armenia spoke against the Church in a blasphemous and provocative manner, slandering the Catholicos.

Below is the statement of the Patriarchate.

“My Patriarchal See considered it necessary to make this statement in the context of the reactions created in parallel with the recent visit of the Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, to Istanbul.

“In reality, it is difficult to understand a number of allegations and attributions that have now entered into circulation. Indeed, some circles persist in not understanding the simple and fundamental opposition expressed by our free will, the reasons for which are obvious to all those who follow the current agenda. Their stubborn stance seeks to provoke an artificial debate, especially through the distorted presentation of issues on social networks.

“The majority of the Armenian people throughout the world belong to the flock of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Our enlightened Mother Church has deep historical and cultural roots. The Armenian Church, in addition to being a religious institution, has assumed an important role in the formation and persistence of the Armenian identity.

“The Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, has recently made statements against our Holy Church, in which he prefers to use blasphemous language and an inflammatory against Catholicos Karekin II. The insults addressed to the Catholicos of All Armenians target both the Armenian Apostolic Church and the conscience of our believing people, historical sanctities, which deeply offends the children of our Church throughout the world, who were baptized from the same Holy Myron distributed from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“The direct campaign to denounce the Church as an institution has crossed the boundaries of political and legal debate, and created a situation of discord with the values, historical memory and religious structures of society is unacceptable. Our Holy Church is a religious institution with deep roots. Attempts to use threatening statements against him for political purposes can cause a deep division in public opinion, as well as damage social solidarity. It is obvious that such statements, laden with polarization, will not benefit, first of all, the esteemed Prime Minister, especially when the Caucasus region is in turmoil.

“Within this context, the Patriarchal See has deemed it appropriate to show its just reaction to the esteemed Prime Minister and to reflect that the current tense situation has created a negative atmosphere and a current of discontent not only in Armenia, but also in the Diaspora. Otherwise, as in the past 35 years, today too, my Patriarchal See wholeheartedly encourages the process of normalizing Turkey-Armenia relations and constantly prays that the Almighty God will grant success to these efforts towards good neighborliness. The remaining statements, which seek to create a false impression, are definitely considered condemnable from the perspective of the positive expectations, the hoped-for dispositions of our community, as well as the responsibilities and interests.

“We hope that our humble faithful people will correctly perceive this dignified and constructive stance of my Patriarchal See in defense of the historical mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and our dedicated, moral values. The message contained in that position is in direct proportion to the oath of loyalty and obedience to the schema of our clergy. Let us not forget that each member of our clergy is anointed with the Holy Myron distributed by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.