Members of the Russian-Armenian Lazarev Club have called on Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Leo XIV to speak out in defense of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, who is facing criminal prosecution in Armenia.
A statement issued by the club says Karekin II was forced to appear before a criminal court because of what it described as a false accusation, adding that the stigma would forever remain on the authorities attempting by such means to discredit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Sputnik Armenia reports.
“The Council of the Lazarev Club appeals to Armenians around the world and friends of Armenia to condemn the unprecedented persecution of the Christian faith and its leaders taking place in Armenia, which is unimaginable in the civilized world. We appeal to the leaders of the Christian faith — Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Leo XIV: speak out in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church and all Christians in Armenia,” the Lazarev Club statement said.
The authors of the document also expressed concern over the deterioration of political, military and economic ties between Russia and Armenia, which they said has already begun to “undermine the foundations of the historical and centuries-old relations between the two peoples.”
On Feb. 14, it became known that criminal proceedings had been initiated against the Catholicos of All Armenians on charges of obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling involving Arman Saroyan, the defrocked former head of the Masis Diocese. Garegin II was also barred from leaving Armenia.
The first court hearing in the “case” against Karekin II and six bishops was held in Etchmiadzin on Aug 7. The Catholicos attended the hearing in person. The opposition Strong Armenia and Armenia factions of the National Assembly, along with several public figures, organized a protest outside the courthouse in support of the Catholicos. Judge Hakob Manukyan recused himself, declining to hear the case, after which it was transferred to another judge.
