Garnik Danielyan, MP from the opposition Hayastan faction, announced on Facebook that he and fellow MPs Agnesa Khamoyan and Aghvan Vardanyan visited Bishops Bagrat and Mikael in the National Security Service detention facility.
He wrote that the bishops’ message is to unite around the Armenian Apostolic Church during these trying times.
“The spirit, mood, and determination of our bishops remain strong. Once again, they welcomed us with their characteristic calmness and optimism.
Despite being in detention, Bishops Bagrat and Mikael remember our people and homeland daily in their prayers. Their message is clear: in these times of trial, let us all rally around the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Let us never waver or retreat from the struggle for truth and justice.
If our spiritual fathers are enduring persecution with dignity and honor, we who remain free have no right to complain or hesitate.
Their detention is a deep shame and disgrace for the current authorities. But I am confident that with unity, we will turn this shameful page as well,” Danielyan wrote.
On October 26, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a liturgy held at Hovhannavank Monastery by a defrocked priest whom the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin had declared unauthorized. Pashinyan was accompanied by senior government officials, including the ministers of defense, economy, and health.
A few days earlier, the Mother See officially defrocked Father Aram and prohibited him from performing any religious rites. The Sunday liturgy was described as a “spiritually destructive initiative,” with the Church accusing Pashinyan of attempting to divide the Church. The Prime Minister has since confirmed he will attend another liturgy at the same monastery on November 2.
