Scholar on Catholicos' residence in Yerevan

Vardan Devrikyan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Literature, Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), believes the expert in monuments Samvel Karapetyan has lately shown eccentric behavior and made extraordinary statements.

In commenting on Karapetyan's criticism of Catholicos Garegin II's policy toward ancient churches and monasteries, Devrikyan said: "In the past he [Karapetyan] was a real hero, whereas he is a hapless victim now." According to Devrikyan, the scholar has become an instrument for the present-day attacks against churches and for arguing that it was the Church that caused destruction of the state.

The indifference to faith is one of the major challenges to the Armenian nation now, Devrikyan said. "Now people often say: 'No matter what religion, an Armenian will be Armenian.'," he added. "No one can ostracize an Armenian because of his religion, but we must know that we will assimilate into other peoples without the Armenian Church," Devrikyan said.

Responding to Tert.am's question concerning the advisability of construction of a residence for Catholicos Garegin II in the center of Yerevan, while ancient monasteries are being neglected, the scholar said: "I have for a long time been working at the Holy See and I cannot say certain things." Devrikyan actually admits the construction project is morally wrong, but is unwilling to voice his opinion.