Father Asoghik Karapetyan, a cleric of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, addressed recent accusations against the Armenian clergy, stating that he had participated in nearly all major public rallies and demonstrations “so that Armenians would not raise a hand against one another.”
Since 2003, first as a priest and later, since 2019, as a member of the Holy See’s brotherhood, he says he has joined such events of his own free will and conscience. “I participated because I believe a clergyman must be wherever his faithful community is, especially during turbulent times. So that people can hear each other. So that national and state interests are served,” he wrote.
He emphasized that clergy often stood as a “living barrier” between demonstrators and police, between citizens and the state, and that his presence was consistently welcomed with gratitude by the public, police, politicians, and officials.
“The servant of the Lord’s house extends spiritual care to all without exception, becoming a leaven for national harmony and unity,” he added.
Father Asoghik called on the faithful to “recognize the voice of Truth” amid the current tensions and to remain loyal to the Armenian Church and its spiritual leadership, under the Catholicos of All Armenians.
On October 15, Armenia’s Investigative Committee, accompanied by the National Security Service, conducted searches at the Aragatsotn Diocese headquarters and homes of several clergy members. Ten clerics, including Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, were brought in for questioning. Proshyan was later arrested for two months by court order; another priest, Father Garegin Arsenyan, was detained for one month. Others were questioned as witnesses. The Investigative Committee accuses Proshyan of obstructing electoral rights and coercing participation in rallies through abuse of official authority.
