Armenians in Moscow declare solidarity with Echmiadzin

Against the backdrop of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit, a rally in support of the Armenian Apostolic Church was held in Moscow.

Hundreds of members of the Armenian diaspora gathered outside the Armenian embassy in Russia to express their support for the Church.
Participants demanded that the Armenian government stop its attacks on Catholicos Garegin II and release the clergymen held in prison. Demonstrators rallied under the slogans “The Church is the foundation of the Armenian nation” and “The Catholicos is the head of the Church.”

According to civic activist Levon Mukanyan, those gathered had come to express their support for the Armenian Apostolic Church and to demand the release of those who, in their view, had been unjustly convicted.

“Today, through the efforts of Pashinyan’s current regime, the Armenian Apostolic Church has ceased to be perceived as the unconditional spiritual and moral foundation of the nation. Instead, it is being portrayed as a political opponent of the ruling authorities,” Levon Mukanyan said.

Civic activist Mikael Badalyan, in turn, reported that a petition drive in support of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Armenian Apostolic Church had attracted more than 100,000 signatories in the space of two and a half weeks. He said this was a testament to the high level of civic engagement and people’s willingness to openly express their views.
Badalyan noted that the campaign is ongoing at Armspyurk.com, where the number of participants continues to grow daily.

At the close of the rally, participants called for an end to the persecution of the clergy and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Church going forward.