Is it normal for Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan to leave his diocese and attend liturgies in Armenia? The Mother See refuses to comment

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again attended a liturgy yesterday with his team – this time at the Church of the Holy Mother of God (“Seven Wounds”) in Gyumri.

He was accompanied by a “wandering clergy,” including four senior clerics who have recently appeared alongside him: Archbishop Navasard Kchoyan, Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, and Archbishop Sion Adamyan.

Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan is the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States. He has been absent from his diocese for an extended period and is currently in Armenia. Aysor.am attempted to obtain clarification from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin regarding whether it is considered acceptable for a diocesan primate to leave his assigned place of service and participate in liturgies in Armenia.

However, Father Yesayi Artenyan, Director of the Mother See’s Information System, declined to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, Bishop Vazgen said yesterday that he was in Gyumri at the invitation of Bishop Narek Avagyan, the spiritual leader of the Shirak Diocese.

Aysor.am also attempted to verify this by contacting Archbishop Narek. He declined to provide any comment and did not allow the question to be fully asked.

“Whatever was meant to be said, we have already said,” he replied before hanging up.
Archbishop Vazgen is the same clergyman who welcomed Nikol Pashinyan during the prime minister’s visit to Tallinn, telling him: “It is our prayer, Mr. Prime Minister, that your plans will be successful. Welcome.”