Over the last years, parallel with the process of Turkey’s attempt to join the European Union, every time European courts confront Turkey with the caveat of self-correction and coming to terms with her own history, the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul amazes us with statements unworthy of his station.
We are not prone to qualify this surprising and often inexcusable behavior as treasonous, collaborationist, or other denigrating adjectives, and yet, what we see is at least unacceptable, when, justifiably, there are other expectations from the only denominational Armenian establishment in Turkey.
Today, when the Cilician Catholicosate is uprooted from its native soil (the Patriarch knows quite well, that the reason for this was the Genocide of the Armenians), the Istanbul Patriarchate is duty-bound to assume its historic role by expanding the boundaries of its pontifical care beyond the city limits of Istanbul, to embrace the entire Western Armenian regions. This role implies considerably increased tasks, from which, the Patriarchate is presently not only disconnected, but has clearly chosen the opposite path.
To remain true to his historic calling, the Patriarch should not only refrain from visiting European capitals (with such surprising zeal) to peddle the Turkish government’s version of distorted historiography, opposing the EU demands of reforms and, prompted by Turkish state interests, disdaining its own people’s recorded history, but should, on the contrary, welcome and encourage the European demands because they relate to the trampled rights of the Patriarch’s neglected flock and demonstrate a concern for the protection and maintenance of the historic and cultural inheritance trusted to his pontifical care. If the Patriarch is denied the opportunity, or lacks the courage to welcome and support the European demands, he should, at least, demonstrate enough character to maintain silence. Let us not forget to mention, that the absence of that opportunity is proof positive of the oppressive nature of the Turkish regime and the continuous trampling of human rights.
If the Patriarchate (in a most commendable manner) shows the tendency to take a protective stance in the fate of the Melconian School in Cyprus, parallel to that — we would not be wrong to say: even before that — it is duty-bound to extend its protection on the Aghtamar Monastery, the architectural treasures of Ani, the Sts. Apostles’ monastery of Kars, St. Karapet of Moush, the Monastery of Varag (of which, practically nothing is left) and the hundreds of churches and monasteries, which are victims of Turkish state vandalism.
If the Patriarchate is apprehensive concerning the physical security of the Istanbul Armenian community, it should also be concerned about the fate of Armenians forced to become Muslim or Kurdish, as well as the degrading status of thousands of turkified Armenians who feel safe only after reaching the shores of France, Holland and other European havens to proclaim openly their national origin. And if the Patriarchate is in no position to guarantee their safety, again, it should have the integrity, at least, to keep its silence. If the Patriarchate shows interest in the state managed, Istanbul Armenian denominational real estate holdings (Vakifs), then, with equal interest, it should be looking into the properties of massacred Armenians presently held by Turks, Kurds and the Turkish state — with all documentation on legal ownership held in secret files, by order of the State Security Council.
Your Eminence, the likes of self-promoting, self-anointed heroes — like Hrant Dink — may say whatever they want, their statements do not carry much weight; but your actions — the actions of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul — are running contrary to the testament of those who, like Khrimian Hairig, were ready to commit themselves to all that was necessary to defend their flock against all threats. Today, the flock has other expectations from its shepherd — and it is understandable, if there are no opportunities at this time to satisfy them — what is not understandable, however, is a stance directly opposed to those expectations.
Khajag Mgrdichian
Editor Of “Hairenik” Weekly
Boston, MA
Yorumlar kapatıldı.