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PRE-ELECTORAL DEAL IN TEMPLE
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27959
Comments - Monday, 05 November 2012, 17:46
"You may continue to expect to a greater extent the comprehensive
support of the Armenian state. By saying you I mean the Armenian
Apostolic Church with its dioceses and its servants and those seculars
who are beside our church in soul, in heart, organizational effort,
financial support or kind words," Serzh Sargsyan stated during the
general Diocesan meeting in the Holy See.
Ahead of the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan is actually
refreshing the "contract" between the church and the government
support for support. The government supports the church, grants tax
privileges, land, property, business quotas to clergymen, generous
gifts and demands so-called political support.
This mechanism has operated clearly, almost impeccably, for many
years. Recently, the role of this mechanism has increased, belief
and other similar notions have become part of the consumer basket of
the officious word stock. Moreover, TV may televise a report with
the chief of police where he talks not in his office or somewhere
related to the police but in front of the newly-dedicated Holy See.
One may even say that the government of Armenia is gradually becoming
a diocese. It is a peculiar diocese not just because the diocesans
walk around in suit and tie and enjoy secular delights more openly but
because this Diocese actually rules the church turning its informal
status into one of the reliable tools of eternity.
In other words, addressing the government is the same as addressing
the church. And since it is declared as one of the pillars of the
Armenian nation and the Armenian state, any comment or claim to the
government automatically touches upon the nation and the state.
The church has had a big role in the life of Armenia. However, despite
this bigness, the actor was a challenge to the solution of public and
state problems rather than their solution, historically a challenge
to the Armenian state. The church is used to being government when
there is no state or being the partner of invaders and making deals
with them in different stage of history of Armenia.
With this historical character, in independent Armenia the Armenian
Apostolic Church had to choose between either challenging the state
or obeying the government. Proceeding from objective and subjective
reasons, the church could not challenge the state. However, the issue
of obeying the government is also complicated because thanks to the
Soviet times the church and the system of governance formed after
independence were physically and environmentally part of the USSR KGB.
Hence, the development of the government and the church along the
path of identification was more optimal and realistic.
During the Diocesan meeting Serzh Sargsyan actually proposes further
deepening of identification of the government and the church under
the sign of state. It is a mutually beneficial proposal in the result
of which the Armenian Apostolic Church may get land for building
residences not only at the Center of Yerevan but also at the center
of Paris or Rio de Janeiro. The government will help the church have
this opportunity to enhance efficiency in preserving or boosting the
Armenian identity.
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27959
Comments - Monday, 05 November 2012, 17:46
"You may continue to expect to a greater extent the comprehensive
support of the Armenian state. By saying you I mean the Armenian
Apostolic Church with its dioceses and its servants and those seculars
who are beside our church in soul, in heart, organizational effort,
financial support or kind words," Serzh Sargsyan stated during the
general Diocesan meeting in the Holy See.
Ahead of the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan is actually
refreshing the "contract" between the church and the government
support for support. The government supports the church, grants tax
privileges, land, property, business quotas to clergymen, generous
gifts and demands so-called political support.
This mechanism has operated clearly, almost impeccably, for many
years. Recently, the role of this mechanism has increased, belief
and other similar notions have become part of the consumer basket of
the officious word stock. Moreover, TV may televise a report with
the chief of police where he talks not in his office or somewhere
related to the police but in front of the newly-dedicated Holy See.
One may even say that the government of Armenia is gradually becoming
a diocese. It is a peculiar diocese not just because the diocesans
walk around in suit and tie and enjoy secular delights more openly but
because this Diocese actually rules the church turning its informal
status into one of the reliable tools of eternity.
In other words, addressing the government is the same as addressing
the church. And since it is declared as one of the pillars of the
Armenian nation and the Armenian state, any comment or claim to the
government automatically touches upon the nation and the state.
The church has had a big role in the life of Armenia. However, despite
this bigness, the actor was a challenge to the solution of public and
state problems rather than their solution, historically a challenge
to the Armenian state. The church is used to being government when
there is no state or being the partner of invaders and making deals
with them in different stage of history of Armenia.
With this historical character, in independent Armenia the Armenian
Apostolic Church had to choose between either challenging the state
or obeying the government. Proceeding from objective and subjective
reasons, the church could not challenge the state. However, the issue
of obeying the government is also complicated because thanks to the
Soviet times the church and the system of governance formed after
independence were physically and environmentally part of the USSR KGB.
Hence, the development of the government and the church along the
path of identification was more optimal and realistic.
During the Diocesan meeting Serzh Sargsyan actually proposes further
deepening of identification of the government and the church under
the sign of state. It is a mutually beneficial proposal in the result
of which the Armenian Apostolic Church may get land for building
residences not only at the Center of Yerevan but also at the center
of Paris or Rio de Janeiro. The government will help the church have
this opportunity to enhance efficiency in preserving or boosting the
Armenian identity.