Hovannisian Responds to Ter-Petrossian with Reference to Mandakani

At an outdoor press conference in Liberty Square, Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian responded to Armenian National Congress (HAK) leader, first president of the Republic of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian’s remarks published in today’s issue of local daily (and reported earlier by Epress.am).

“I don’t do a song and dance to say that I haven’t read [it], I haven’t seen [it]; I’ve seen everything, I’ve read it, I’m familiar [with it]: that is my obligation. I honestly and with love wish God’s blessing and a long life to all and to the first president. When we speak of lies, falsehoods and Christian behavior, I can suggest we all read and cite the same Hovhannes Mandakuni’s [referred to by Ter-Petrossian earlier as Hovhan Mandakuni] section which speaks of being malicious and seeking revenge,” he said.

Recall, asked by Haykakan Jamanak why he didn’t approach Hovannisian during the HAK rally on Mar. 17 at Liberty Square, the HAK leader had said:

“Because that goes against my Christian principles. Christianity for me is before or even more than religion, it is a moral codex. And this codex categorically rejects the piety, mercy, humility, modesty, charity, including a demonstration of fasting, of Christian virtues. When a virtue is put on display, it stops being a virtue. Particularly on fasting, one of the Armenian Church’s most authoritative Fathers, Hovhan  [Hovhannes] Mandakuni, in the 5th century said the following: ‘The Devil destroys both the one fasting and his Lent, when man wants and classifies himself above others, so that his abstinence is drummed by others, and people become aware of and admire his endurance. Such a Lent doesn’t cleanse and justify, but rather pollutes and destroys’ (Matenagirk Hayots, A, p. 1170). On request, a hundred such examples can be brought forth from Armenian and world church literature.

“Anyway, if Raffi Hovannisian instead of publicly fasting, announced a hunger strike with specific political demands, I would not only welcome him, but also announce my full solidarity,” he said.