Father Asoghik Karapetyan wrote on his Facebook page that he had received numerous calls and messages regarding the curse (anathema — from Greek “ἀνάθεμα”, meaning curse) he issued earlier.

He emphasized, “While for some the curse may appear laughable or medieval, for the Holy Church it remains a profoundly serious decision.”

“Instead of further clarification, I present the video commentary of my fellow monk, the Reverend Father Ruben Vardapet Zargaryan, since it also reflects my own views and those of any Armenian clergyman.

Let me note only this: no one should ‘trouble themselves’ to instruct or dictate to a clergyman with advanced theological education from the Seminary on how to react to or resolve matters of faith or spiritual life.

As clergy, we are not people-pleasers. We know how to love, admonish, advise, warn, rebuke, and, yes, even to curse.

If for some this curse is a jest or relic of the Middle Ages, for the Holy Church it is always a deeply serious and current act, applied with pain and tears from the depths of the heart and soul. We continually offer prayers at the Lord’s Holy Altar for all people without exception. And even after this curse, we will go on praying with love for everyone, that the misguided may repent and the faithful remain steadfast,” he wrote.

Earlier, Father Asoghik Karapetyan expressed his deep indignation and spiritual sorrow over what he described as “hostile attacks” carried out by current authorities and their subordinates, who “have entered into a diabolical alliance with dark forces” against the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the entire clergy, and the elected Patriarch of All Armenians.

He cursed “all those who, having sold their souls to the devil, dare — this morning or ever — to invade the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, defile the Armenian Patriarchate, raise weapons against the clergy and the Anointed of God, the divinely appointed Catholicos of All Armenians, and trample on the sacred values of the Armenian nation.”