Theologian and Urarakir Tovmas Arakelyan declares that the Armenian Apostolic Church has been under pressure for years
According to theologian and Urarakir (Subdeacon) Tovmas Arakelyan, the steps directed against the Church are not a new phenomenon: “The terror began in 2019. We, in our own way, stand by the Armenian Apostolic Church.” He stated that amid growing public tension, a new target needed to be established, and the Catholicos of All Armenians became that target.
Arakelyan notes that for them, the defense of the Church is linked to the ideas of national identity, values, and resistance concerning borders. “Our way is to fight for the homeland. We are fighting not to lose our identity,” he said.
In his assessment, the situation created in the country is accompanied by psychological pressures, an atmosphere of hatred, and talk of political persecution. “There is no peace, it is an illusion of hatred. We are being terrorized by war, by constant psychological pressure.”
The theologian emphasized that the Armenian Apostolic Church has been in constant struggle throughout its entire history of activity.
“We are not terrorists. The empire of lies will explode one day, and its consequences will be delivered to the people who built it.”