The church is facing heavy taxation, and now they are also being subjected to electricity charges, causing concern among the followers. According to a report by NEWS.am, Aharon Qahana Melkumyan, the spiritual leader of Goris, made an announcement stating that the church should be treated equally and taxed like any other institution.

“Our Mother Cathedral supports us and taxes us. In Armenia, the church is exempt from taxes, just like in Arab countries. Even in Turkey, they enjoy tax exemption. But look at us, what are we doing?” he questioned.

The church authorities have imposed high taxes on them for the paraffin they use to make candles, preventing them from acquiring it. Instead, they rely on paraffin sent by the Russian Church, which is stored in warehouses and subject to daily fees. Eventually, they are sent new paraffin as a gift.

Aharon Qahana Melkumyan referred to a famous saying about the truth. “It is said that the cloak of truth covers and enters the people, who accept it with love. Then the truth becomes deeply rooted, but people try to suppress it. Now, why are they attacking the church? Because the church is like a womb. If we eliminate the church, it will completely destroy the nation, including the apostles, imams, and archbishops,” he explained.

He further emphasized that if the church is targeted during times of war, it implies the implementation of a foreign government and crosses a red line.

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