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Tigran Khzmalyan:Patriarch Kirill's statement was a stab in the back (video)

Politics
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Armenian film director Tigran Khzmalyan says it is not accidental that in his January 7 interview, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said ‘Christians were not destroyed in the Ottoman Empire by anyone.’ “Many blame Patriarch Kirill for being illiterate and ignorant. But this, of course, is naivety. Kirill is an educated man who knows what to say, when to say and where to say. He is not an ordinary person; he is the spiritual leader of Russia who has a top position in Putin-led Russia,” Mr Khzmalyan told A1+. The film director says the main reason is the present strained relations between Russia and Turkey. “Russia is now seeking a way out of this “no-war, no-peace” situation. Kirill was probably entrusted with the mission of creating an opportunity and he did it. He did not made a religious statement he made a political announcement,” the filmmaker continued. Mr Khzmalyan reminded that in 1903, 12 years before the Armenian Genocide, the Russian government and the Church has launched a campaign against the Armenian Church and schools. He says it was the logical continuation of policy that Russia implemented for many decades in its relations with Armenia. “By destroying, discrediting and rejecting the spiritual identity of Armenians, they are paving the way to destroy our national identity. Instead of making loud announcements and leaving Facebook posts, we had better think about maintaining our independent statehood and strengthen our country,” he added. Tigran Khzmalyan is sure that it was a slap in the face, a very heavy blow. “As Russians would say about a Turkish fighter ‘this is another stab in the back or below the waistline.’ At the same time, I think it should become a sobering signal for Armenians, especially for those who are still optimistic about the relations between Armenia and Russia."