"It"s a big attempt to involve the church and use it in political games," said Patriarch`s secretary, Michael Botkoveli.

According to him, a new "wave" of attacks is directed against the Church and the Patriarch.

Father Michael Botkoveli said that the church will take appropriate measures and will not allow the patriarch"s authority to be endangered.

"The struggle against the church has always been going on and is underway, but recent events have shown that the processes take on a tough face . Why is this happening?

The high authority and rating of our Church and Catholicos-Patriarch is unacceptable for some forces; It is also unacceptable for them that the Church protects the sanctity of the family, territorial integrity of the country, national and traditional values, correct upbringing of the future generation; It is unacceptable for them that the church is against the LGBT community’s lifestyle, expresses protest against wrong, dangerous forms of liberalization of the drug policy, etc.

It is very important that there is a big attempt to involve the church in political games.

It seems that the actions carried out by them have not resulted the desired results and therefore, according to our information, they are planning a new wave of attacks and dirty campaign against the higher hierarchy and the clergymen may be involved in it.

We appeal to all those who care for the country and the church, to act reasonably and stand aide from the slander, provocations and deliberate evil actions.

I think it will soon be revealed, in fact, what is the purpose of this campaign and what it serves”, says the statement.