The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey expressed support to the Catholicos of All Armenians Gareg II and the bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In the message published on August 10, the Patriarchate stated that the "negative position" adopted recently towards the Armenian Apostolic Church has caused deep pain and offense among the believers of Armenia and the Diaspora.
"Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been the beacon of faith of our people and a strong pillar of national and spiritual union for centuries. The Armenian Church, with all its dedication, headed by H.S.O.T. Garegin B. His Holiness and Most Reverend Patriarch of All Armenians continues his Christ-giving, nation-building and nation-building mission.
In this regard, resorting to legal proceedings against the His Holiness the Patriarch of All Armenians and the holy bishops of the Church and summoning them before secular courts on charges of criminal crimes deeply insults the patriarchal dignity of the Armenian Church.
This pain deepens when the guarantees given to the mission of the Church by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and the fundamental principles of human rights seem to be neglected," the message says.
The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey called on those responsible to "keep the Armenian Church invulnerable" and not to turn the decisions of official church bodies into secular judicial conflicts.
"Even in the Diaspora, the Armenian Church continues to play a key role in the spiritual, national and community life of our people. Therefore, any step aimed at weakening the authority of the Mother See or insulting its integrity damages the centuries-old bonds between the Church and the believing people.
History proves that the Armenian Apostolic Church was one of the indestructible pillars of our nation during the times when it was deprived of statehood. It regulated and continues to regulate the preaching of the Holy Gospel, spiritual service, comforting, charitable and national missions with its internal dedication. Therefore, we consider it inappropriate and insulting to look for a crime in the voice raised by His Holiness the Patriarch of All Armenians and the church hierarchy about issues related to the Church.
As the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, we express our support to H.E. To His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians and to the holy bishops," the message reads.
The Patriarchate also sent a prayer for His Holiness the Patriarch, the Supreme Spiritual Council, the thrones of the Patriarchal Chairs, the clergy, the faithful and the officials of the Republic of Armenia. Earlier, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Catholicosate of Cilicia of the Great House criticized the legal proceedings against the Patriarch and the bishops.
Garegin B is charged with obstruction of justice, in a case that also indicted six high-ranking clergymen of the church.
