Epress.am News from Armenia
Due to the Armenian Apostolic Church’s inaction, the once “Armenian sanctuary” that is St. Mary Church in Yerevan’s Kanaker-Zeytun district, one of several preserved medieval churches in the Armenian capital and located not too far from Khachatur Abovyan House-Museum, has become a gathering place for sexual escapades and fights among youth, according to the civil initiative group “We demand the Catholicos’ resignation.”
Members of the group note that residents of the area surrounding the church have repeatedly appealed to different state agencies, drawing attention to the church’s abandoned state and the “incredible consequences” of this state.
“In addition, the surroundings of the abandoned… church, according to residents, has become a place for lovers’ meetings and activities, as well as a place for local youth to fight. The area of medieval gravestones surrounding the church has become a garbage dump. Thanks to one local resident, the church has a door (though unartistic) and a lock. And inside the abandoned church, locals have brought from their homes icons; by the way, Russian icons comprise a large part.
“Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and the Ararat Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church are responsible for this situation. This is simply one of hundreds of cases and we believe that we cannot show more expressive reasons for demanding the Catholicos’ resignation,” reads the statement disseminated by the group.
