Supreme Spiritual Council strongly condemns illegal steps taken against peaceful protesters

The Supreme Spiritual Council released a statement.

“We, the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, having gathered in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with the blessing and under the chairmanship of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, are deeply concerned about the internal political problems facing our homeland and the challenges of external security. We strongly condemn the obvious illegal steps taken against the participants of the peaceful gathering in Yerevan.

Our appeal to the Armenian authorities is to refrain from violence and unacceptable manifestations of hatred and hostility. We call on the protesters to act with all vigilance and respect for the law.

The claims of the authorities and their supporters that the church is supervising the rallies are reprehensible. Power should not be just a goal of some person or political force, but a means of reasonable, prudent, and selfless service to the people and the homeland,” the statement said.