The "Fact" daily writes:
Stepan Asatryan, who has been declared a deposed and now secular figure, has, as is known, occupied Hovhannavank with the direct patronage of the executive branch. The name of this church, which was seized from the Armenian Apostolic Church, has been circulating in the news again in recent days, in connection with a shameful video recording how the holy place is being desecrated, turning it into a place for rabbis to defecate. And although after the uproar, the aforementioned KP protege Stepan Asatryan declares that “these are fabricated videos,” locals testify that nothing is fabricated, moreover, similar “tashi-tushi” have been held near the seized church. In addition, the Mother See issued a statement yesterday, strongly condemning the worrying phenomenon that has been taking place in Hovhannavank recently: “the holding of inappropriate events, in this case, a party, on the territory of the monastery, which disrupts the spiritual and prayerful atmosphere of the monastery and causes concern for the surrounding population.”
It is understandable that many people, believers and not only believers, are angry and indignant. But on the other hand, it cannot be said that what is happening is very surprising. After all, it is obvious that in the context of the campaign of Pashinyan and his political associates against the Armenian Apostolic Church, everything that is impermissible, unacceptable, and despicable can be. Such a situation and manifestations reflect the handwriting and "faith of the Pashinyan government and the treason encouraged by that government."
They are, understandably, intent on discrediting the church in every way. And, you know, if people have no conscience and faith, if they confuse reciting a text from the Bible by heart with having faith and fear of God, if they confuse the advice of deeply seeking forgiveness and repenting with a “party” or a “shop”, they will turn the church into a place of revelry, and confuse the altar with a rally. One thing is comforting: our, especially medieval, monasteries have gone through very severe trials before reaching our days. Many have remained standing. They have remained holy places. Even the humble ones. This trial, which has become a trial for the country and the people, will one day, undoubtedly, be over, will pass.
