Opposition deputies received the blessing of the Catholicos after the first session of the Armenian parliament.

Opposition deputies from the blocks "Armenia" and "Strong Armenia" visited the Holy Etchmiadzin to receive the blessing of the Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II. The Catholicos urged the deputies to act in the name of the country's security, strengthening independent statehood, and the well-being of the people, and expressed gratitude to the parliamentarians for their support of the church.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", at the first session of the Armenian parliament of the IX convocation, the opposition pointed out that deputy Arthur Sarkisyan is under house arrest due to his political views. The ruling party nominated Ruben Rubinyan as the sole candidate for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly, while Nikol Pashinyan's government resigned.

Immediately after the first session of the first session of the National Assembly of the 9th convocation, deputies from the factions "Strong Armenia" and "Armenia" arrived at the Holy Etchmiadzin to receive the blessing of the Supreme Patriarch.

For the first time, the Catholicos of all Armenians was not present at the first session of parliament, writes News.Am.

The Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II received the deputies of the Armenian parliament of the 9th convocation from the factions "Armenia" and "Strong Armenia" at the Holy Etchmiadzin. The meeting took place at the initiative of the opposition parliamentarians after the traditional speech of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church was not provided at the first session of the National Assembly, writes Yerevan Today.

"Unfortunately, in the conditions of the anti-national campaign of the current authorities, when for the first time in the history of our state the message and prayer of the Catholicos were not heard at the first session of parliament, we considered it our duty to fill this gap and receive the blessing," said the head of the "Armenia" faction Anna Grigoryan.

During the conversation, Garegin II expressed deep concern about the situation in the country.

"External and internal challenges require the consolidation of state and national structures. The prevailing intolerance in the country, the polarization of society, the distortion of national values, as well as illegal and unconstitutional actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church are alarming," noted the Catholicos.

The head of the AAC emphasized that the Church has always supported Armenian statehood and will continue to promote the strengthening of the country.

Garegin II urged the deputies to be faithful to their commitments, to act solely in the name of the security of the homeland and the well-being of the people, guided by the principles of justice and honesty.

At the end of the meeting, Garegin II expressed gratitude to the deputies for their demonstrated loyalty to the Church during a difficult period, mentioning the ongoing pressure from the authorities and emphasizing that national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan remains under arrest for the protection of Etchmiadzin.