The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church has had and continues to have its unique, irreplaceable place in Armenian reality, because it undeniably constitutes one of the pillars of our national identity. For centuries it has bestowed upon us not only vital spiritual guidance, but also an exceptionally rich culture. When enemies deprived us of statehood and sought to enslave us, it was the Armenian Apostolic Church that inspired us not only with an unblemished Christian faith, but also with the drive for existential struggle, the hope of being, and the will and vigor for resistance.
In our national understanding, our holy church holds this most sacred role and important place. For this very reason, the well-being and integrity of the Armenian Apostolic Church constitute one of the foremost priorities of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party. According to the ADL’s principles, the Monogenetic and Illuminator-founded Armenian Church, as a sacred institution, must be guided by the exemplary model of our many blessed clergymen—such as Gregory the Illuminator, Sahak Partev, the clerical writers, Narekatsi, Nerses Shnorhali, Patriarch Gregory the Chain-Bearer, Nerses Ashtaraketsi, Khrimian Hayrik, Patriarch Yeghishe Tourian, Vazgen I, and others. They illuminated our Apostolic Church and are recorded in history as GREAT Armenians.
Today the Armenian Apostolic Church faces new challenges, as do all spiritual institutions in today’s complex world. Our church, if in the past it was compelled to assume certain roles of the state due to the absence of political authorities, today, as for centuries, is particularly devoted to activities of education, culture, and Armenian preservation—whether in the homeland or in the diaspora.
Unfortunately, however, our most sacred institution today finds itself in an undesirable situation. Although over the passing decades many churches were brought to life in the homeland, in the territory of the Russian Federation, in Europe and the Americas, already alarming dissatisfactions and criticisms are being heard almost everywhere—particularly directed at Holy Etchmiadzin and the high-ranking clergymen who lead it. It is no longer possible to pass by, let alone disregard, the heartfelt pain and legitimate concerns and criticisms of the children of the Armenian Church.
Something, somewhere, is certainly wrong, and there is no smoke without fire. The critics are not enemies of the church, but rather knowledgeable individuals who demand reform, the establishment of order and discipline, and the correction of the lifestyle, conduct, and morals of the clergy. Widespread embezzlements and activities unbecoming of the clerical calling have been exposed.
As a consequence of these conditions, a large number of Armenian youth, having lost their faith and trust, are distancing themselves from our ancient church and the Christian faith; sects and soul-hunters who weaken, disfigure, and corrupt our character are multiplying, distorting our identity with their un-national ideas. The matter has become so serious that, in our assessment, it has become a question of national security.
The ADL expresses its deep concern over this situation created within the Armenian Apostolic Church and proposes that, within the shortest possible time, a special and fully representative committee be formed immediately, composed of clergymen and lay representatives from the homeland and the diaspora, so that an extraordinary supreme ecclesiastical council may be organized to correct the present inglorious state of the Armenian Church.
In Reply:
OF THE CENTRAL BOARD OF THE ARMENIAN DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY
Raffi Balian | Secretary
Mike Kharapyan | Chairman
