As tensions escalated, the Catholicos of All Armenians went to Levon Ter-Petrossian’s home but was rebuffed

by Armenian Reporter staff

Published: Saturday March 08, 2008

Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, went to the Yerevan residence of Levon Ter-Petrossian on March 1, hours after security forces dispersed the pro-Ter-Petrossian demonstrators who had been gathered for the previous 9 days at Freedom Square and sent Mr. Ter-Petrossian home. The former president refused to see the head of the Armenian Church. The Catholicos was turned back at the door.

The Catholicos returned to Etchmiadzin, and "then we all saw what happened Saturday night, with the unnecessary deaths, the loss of life, the injuries," Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian, foreign press secretary to the Catholicos, told the Armenian Reporter. "If Levon Ter-Petrossian had made the announcement to his people to pull back at 3 P.M. rather than at 3 A.M., eight people wouldn't have died. Nothing changed in those twelve hours," Fr. Devejian added.

Mr. Ter-Petrossian's office could not be reached for comment.

Fr. Devejian said that the Catholicos went to visit the presidential runner up at his three-story black tuff mansion in the hills by Tsitsernakaberd because he had been deeply concerned about the possibility of more serious violence erupting. Tensions had escalated after past presidential elections, Fr. Devejian noted, where the losers always claimed they had been cheated. "We were expecting the same this time."

The Church has great faith in its people, and believed they would use common sense, wisdom, patience and exhibit the same tolerance they always have, Fr. Devejian said. "Being in the situation that we are in, politically and geographically, unity has always been our greatest asset. We were always proud that we had not suffered like Georgia and Ukraine."

Right before the election, the Supreme Spiritual Council had called on the people to be patient, calm, and respectful.

In the post­election protests, Mr. Ter-Petrossian and his circle continued and intensified their very personal verbal attacks on the president, the prime minister, the other presidential candidates, and all Armenians who declined to support them. The church sent out a second appeal, asking people to "remember who you are, remember who you descended from. Not only is this country on the line, is this election on the line, but the overall reputation and dignity of our nation is. Everybody is watching Armenia and it is incumbent upon all of you to put national interests above personal aspirations," Fr. Devejian said.

"After 600 years we have finally been given this gift," Fr. Devejian said, explaining the decision of the church to intervene. "Not only freedom, independence, but statehood. And if we can affect the stability of that statehood, then we will."

Before the election, the Catholicos had met with the president and all the candidates who would meet with him, expressing his concern about divisive rhetoric. Mr. Ter-Petrossian did not meet with the Catholicos at that time either, but did send a representative to Etchmiadzin.

On the morning of March 1, the Catholicos said that since Mr. Ter-Petrossian "won't come to me, then I will go to him," Fr. Devejian said.

At a news conference on March 5, President Robert Kocharian noted that the Catholicos had informed him of his decision to go to Levon Ter-Petrossian's house. "I replied I welcome the idea of such a meeting though I am skeptical that anything will be resolved," the president said. On the former president's refusal to receive the Catholicos, Mr. Kocharian said, "I cannot imagine an Armenian anywhere in the world who would refuse to receive the Catholicos in his home. I was left with the impression that Levon Ter-Petrossian believed he was in a good position and had the authorities in a state of panic. Maybe he even thought that I had asked Catholicos to visit him. Maybe the wish of the Catholicos was viewed by Ter-Petrossian as a sign of panic, and in such conditions he decided that the meeting was not favorable for him."

Fr. Devejian said that the church ministers to all who have been hurt in the violence that erupted on March 1. "Those people in the hospitals are being visited by our priests. Each diocesan bishop has been instructed that they have to visit those families who suffered deaths and in addition to expressing condolences, render any assistance which is necessary, whether that is spiritual, financial support - whatever is necessary for those families."