We are concerned that Armenian authorities are making accusations against representatives of Armenian Church – Vakhtang Kipshidze

Vakhtang Kipshidze, vice-chairman of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media of the Moscow Patriarchate, commented to Alpha News on the detention of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan following his statements in support of the Armenian Church.

According to Kipshidze, the Church in any country has autonomy and should be protected from criticism.

“Of course, we are deeply concerned about the pressure and accusations that are being made against representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Karekin II by the Armenian authorities. We believe that the Church in any country, including Armenia, has autonomy and should be protected from criticism that goes beyond the current legislation. And as long as the Church adheres to all necessary laws and regulations, authorities should have no grounds for complaints against it,” Kipshidze emphasized.

The Moscow Patriarchate expressed surprise at the treatment of those advocating for the Church.
“We were also surprised that a number of observers noted the connection between a public statement by the Armenian businessman in support of the Church and the subsequent attempt to arrest him. If this connection does exist, it is all the more surprising that people who advocate for the Church—the main and most authoritative social force in Armenian society—could face such treatment,” Kipshidze said.