I consider the shameful campaign—which came hot on the heels of the start of people’s struggle for their rights in Tavush—aimed to insult and discredit Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the primate of the Diocese of Tavush unacceptable. Former Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia Arman Tatoyan made a Facebook post on this.
“Our studies show that this shameful campaign is managed by high-ranking officials of the authorities [Government, Parliament, etc.], some of whom directly take part in it.
The campaign is run with publications blackening Archbishop Bagrat’s name and with baseless statements, which are accompanied by insults on social media addressed to Archbishop Bagrat and the Armenian Church.
However, Archbishop Bagrat, being the primate of the Diocese of Tavush, stands by the members of his diocese. He is a spiritual leader who supports people day and night for the existential struggle for their rights and security. The clergy is with the people because that is what the clergy should do.
We should not forget that what is going on in Tavush and in the country in general is not part of an ordinary, but of existential struggle for the rights and dignity of the Armenian people,” Tatoyan wrote.
