YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The Armenian Revolutionary Federation announced Tuesday its viewpoint on the coming election of the Catholicos of All Armenia’s.
The ARF believes that the election should be postponed. The official publication of the ARF Executive Council of Armenia–the Yerkir daily–stated that the atmosphere for the Catholicos elections–scheduled for next week–was far from being favorable.
The ARF believes that the postponement of the election will contribute to the settlement of differences between the two Sees of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
"We think that if there is unity–Catholicos Aram will be the best candidate," ARF Chairman Hrant Markarian said.
While calling for the postponement of the Assembly’s work–Markarian endorsed the election of His Holiness Aram I the Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia–the number two person in the church hierarchy. Aram I announced earlier this month–however–that he will not seek the top post.
The Self-Determination Union also expressed its desire to see the elections postponed.
"As the only political organization guided by Christian principles and that links the salvation of Armenia to the strengthening of Christian principles in the society–we express our concern over the situation around the elections of the Catholicos of All Armenia’s," the SDU said in a letter addressed October 19 to Locum Tenens Archbishop Nerses Pozapalian.
Also joining in the postponement call was Armenian Democratic Union chairman Vazgen Manoukian.