“If Nikol Pashinyan is re-elected, it will be much more difficult, perhaps impossible, to confront the challenges facing the Church” – Mher Mkrtchyan

On May 16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received a group of cultural figures at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, who had visited to express their support, filial love, and loyalty to the Holy Church and the Patriarch of All Armenians.

During the meeting, His Holiness emphasized that, regardless of difficulties, the Church will continue its service to the nation and the homeland.

Among the cultural figures who met with the Catholicos of All Armenians was film director Mher Mkrtchyan, who, in an interview with Aysor.am, stated that the current authorities seek to devalue the Armenian nation’s most important pillar – the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church – and that they had attended the meeting to declare that they stand with His Holiness and the Church.

- On May 16, a group of cultural figures, including you, met with the Catholicos of All Armenians. Did the initiative come from the cultural figures themselves? If so, how was the decision made and what was the purpose?

- The shortest and simplest answer is this: the purpose was to stand with the Church and His Holiness openly and publicly.

- These days, our Church is going through serious trials, and the Armenian authorities are targeting the clergy. In your opinion, what is the purpose of all this? Do you believe in the so-called “reformation?”

- In my opinion, the purpose is to devalue the Armenian nation’s most important pillar – the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. The word “reformation” is inappropriate in this context. Of course, I do not believe in it.

- What did the meeting with His Holiness give you? Will our Church overcome these trials?

- I do not want to give a pathetic answer. It will still overcome. But if Nikol Pashinyan is re-elected, it will be much more difficult, perhaps even impossible, to resist these challenges.

- Why do you think other cultural figures remain silent? Many have shown indifference toward everything happening to our Holy Church. Is it indifference or fear of persecution?

- Unfortunately, I find myself repeating the same answer constantly. For some, it is a consequence of fear; for others, it is driven by personal gain. What matters is that there are still many people in the cultural sphere who are not remaining silent.