After our publication about the Bentley of the Archbishop of Ararat wing of the Armenian Church Navasard (Samvel) Ktchoyan and after his interview not only an intensive discussion has started in the society but people also started to provide information about his activity. The Armenian Church has not officially responded to the fact of Ktchoyan’s Bentley. It didn’t even respond to our photographs that we publicized. Let us remember that the sculptures are located in the school complex of St. Mesrop Mashtots Church. This foundation, which is considered a scientific and a religious center, was established in 1997 with the efforts of the 131st Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin A and so the plans of Catholicos Vazgen A came true. But judging from the official biography of Ktchoyan the school was established thanks to him. Nonetheless, one of the sculptures of sculptor Levon Tokmajyan is the bust of Navasard Ktchoyan (see page 2). As this picture shows the next three-piece sculpture the Archbishop stands next to Trdat III sculpture, who adopted Christianity as state religion in 301 and Saint Grigor Lusavorich in the role of Mesrop Mashtots and the alphabet in his hand. The Armenian Apostolic Church also didn’t provide any official opinion about the fact that Ktchoyan’s statue is located next to the statues of saints. The head of the information department of the Echmiadzin Vahram Melikyan didn’t respond anything to the question of Tert.am regarding our publications. “The Apostolic Church recommends to apply to the sculptor in regard of Ktchoyan’s sculpture,” writes Tert.am. While active discussions proceed in the social-political circles on all social networks yesterday the journalist of News.am spoke with sculptor Levon Tokmajyan. The latter told the journalist that the statue located in the religious schools is of Ktchoyan and that the latter paid for the sculpture from his own pocket. “The idea of this sculpture came from the times of Garegin A Catholicos. He ordered a similar piece from me because at that time Ktchoyan was the leader of Aragatsotn wing of the church. And I saw in his face details the Armenian traits and decided to carve Mesrop Mashtots with the facial traits of Ktchoyan. On the plaster cast I carved Catholicos Sahak Partev with the face of Garegin A and I carved King Vramshapuh with the face of a young man living in our neighborhood. So I picked actual faces for all the images. Then we decided to alloy the plaster sculpture to bronze but the decision remained without results. Now we cannot understand what the matter is. They call me all the time and ask about Ktchoyan’s statue. What can I do if there are certain issues connected with him?” said Tokmajyan. Then he added, “Here there is another issue. Ktchoyan drives an expensive car. So what?” said Tokmajyan. The latter was really surprised about the noise made by media regarding the sculpture, which he carved 10 years ago. By the way, let us present several comments from Facebook. “In this poor and starving country when people don’t have bread people like him receive Bentelys for present, they have parties with the authorities. Then they say we have sects. What can people do when the religious people live the way, which has nothing in common with Christianity?” We’d like to present another opinion, “Please tell me who more debilitates our church? Jehovah’s witnesses? Jews? Turkish-Azerbaijani special services, spies or thanks God the small number of oligarch-clergymen?” Some people suggest that Ktchoyan sells this Bentley and presents this money to some orphanage or school. Othes provided noteworthy facts, according to which Ktchoyan bought this Bentley from his own pocket. They said that for example Vazgen A Catholicos inherited approximately 600,000 USD to the church from his own money and Garegin A donated 900,000 USD. Moreover, till now the church owns Vazgen Catholicos’s Chayka vehicle and 2 or 3 other cars, which are still maintained. Yesterday our newspaper received a message with the following information, “In the Syunik wing they publish Syunats Kantegh religious paper, the founder and editor of chief of which is me. First let me say that it is wrong to write bad things about clergymen. By doing that, you support the sects. God is the one to judge whether the clergyman is good or bad. Others don’t have the right to do so. Remember the Bible, “don’t judge not to be judged.” I’d suggest that I send you one or two religious articles. If you publish those you will do a good thing, better than…” Indeed we will publish the articles. No editor will refuse from a good article especially if those contribute to the development of our belief and development of our church. But let us remember that the Armenian church has never sold indulgence and the clergyman has never considered himself higher than an average person. It was back in the Renaissance epoch when the clergymen would order the painters and sculptors draw them on their paintings. This level of vainness is not acceptable any more. Therefore, the criticism against the clergymen, who lives a luxury life should not be considered material against the church.
