I have involuntarily found myself at the center of certain unfolding events and would like to provide clarifications regarding the comments, information circulating within its scope, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, told a press conference Monday.

“Since 2018, I have had very specific reservations regarding the political processes in Armenia. I have not expressed these reservations of mine publicly, considering the broad support of the people for the authorities, thinking that perhaps I was wrong. Unfortunately, in this case, I was not wrong. The person who was leading the political processes in Armenia [i.e. PM Nikol Pashinyan] did not inspire any confidence in me. A simple analysis of his life story was suggesting to me that no positive movement, no bright prospects could be expected from the movement led by this person. This is a man who, throughout his life history, has been guided by blackmail, offensive, slanderous style of work.

In 2020, we [Armenians] lost Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], we lost national unity, many people were arrested under false pretenses, the [Armenian] society was divided. Under these conditions, I considered it immoral not to express my position in any way. I expressed it, and today I still hold that position. This person, these authorities, cannot continue to remain in power. They must leave as soon as possible, regardless of what geopolitical or political factors that condition the continuation of their tenure,” Archbishop Khachatryan added.

He noted that after expressing his aforesaid views, he was summoned to the National Security Service of Armenia. “Of course, there were expectations to carry out certain actions, but it became clear that I am not the person who can be forced, through threats, fear, or intimidation, to perform actions that contradict my beliefs. No informational terror and threat can make me do something that is a greater sin than what I could have ever committed.

Thank God, I have nothing in my life that I am ashamed of. This does not mean that I am innocent, but the accusations attributed to me have absolutely nothing to do with my life, my life story, my actions. Of course, those videos are fake and false. I do not know a greater sin than committing new sins in response to past missteps,” Archbishop Khachatryan declared.

As reported earlier, a statement signed by several Armenian Apostolic Church bishops and archbishops demanding that Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II order Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See, to leave the latter, was disseminated last week.

According to that statement, the authenticity of videos involving Archbishop Khachatryan was confirmed through examination.

After that, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he invites the bishops and archbishops to a meeting. And this meeting took place the same day.