A person who is practically well-fed but devoid of spiritual values and moral principles brings absolutely no benefit to society, the state, or the homeland. Karapetyan

Businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan sent a message from the "Yerevan-Kentron" penitentiary institution.

"Dear compatriots,

As you know, the "Our Way" movement includes a working group on the protection of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and our national values.

What are the primary issues facing that group?

First, we must do everything possible to regulate state-church relations in such a way that in the future it will not occur to any small group to launch a new attack on our most important national institution and hope for success.

Considering the current constitutional foundations, I am confident that this is a quickly resolved issue, and discussions with experts will lead to the formulation of the correct formula.

It is no less important that spiritual life become an integral part of the daily life of our people, and the movement also has something to do here.

Many of the problems that exist in our society and threaten to ruin both the moral image and health of our future generation have arisen from the lack of real spiritual nourishment. A person who is practically full but devoid of spiritual values and moral principles does not and cannot bring any benefit to society, the state, or the homeland.

Finally, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is an integral part of our national identity, our millennia-old culture. What part of this exceptional value have we been able to show the world and be proud of?

In the 35 years of independence, perhaps this opportunity has not existed, for objective or subjective reasons. But in the very near future, we must ensure that everyone knows where Armenia is, where the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is, and what a rich heritage of values our Christian ancestors have left to the world.

"We will do it our way."