The Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland issued a statement stating:
As the advice of Eastern Orthodox Churches in the United Kingdom, we are deeply concerned about the recent developments in Armenia, especially on June 27 on the arrest of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The use of force in the sanctuary and the actions against the highest clergy are serious concern about the protection of freedom of religion and clear borders between the state power and religious life.
Such actions are especially accompanied by public rhetoric of division and distrust, the idea of the rule of law, such as the principles of dignity and mutual respect, are the pillars of a peaceful, united and comprehensive society.
The Armenian Apostolic Church, which is one of the oldest Christian churches, is not only the core of the spiritual life of the Armenian people, but also the guardian of the historical and cultural identity of the nation.
For centuries, the Church has been a source of unity of the Armenian people around the world, moral guidance and endurance.
The Armenian Church is highly respected in a large Christian family, it has strong relations with the ecumenical movement. According to his unwavering theological and pastoral testimony, the Armenian Church has contributed to the deepening of the inter-church dialogue, the establishment of solidarity and the protection of human dignity. In this spirit, we call for calm, mutual understanding and dialogue, as a path to the national revival and recovery.
We call respectfully - so that the Government of the Republic of Armenia adhere to its constitutional and international obligations to ensure the freedom of religion and religion and refrain from actions that may endanger the independence and integrity of religious institutions. - In order to stop the involvement of the Armenian Apostolic Church in political processes, all detainees are either released or obedient to the Principles of Justice and Legal Procedure. During this sensitive period, we reaffirm our fraternal support of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians. With Garegin II. We pray that the wisdom and restraint will be guided by the consciousness of justice, national unity and the sacred role of the Church in the life of Armenia.
Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches of the United Kingdom and Ireland
