Armenian Parliament speaker: Time to discuss issue of church taxation

In the near future, it is necessary to discuss the issue of taxation of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Alen Simonyan said during a meeting of the legislative body, Report informs referring to Sputnik Armenia.

The issue of taxation of the AAC has been raised repeatedly. To these reproaches, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin responded that they pay taxes, but the church is exempt from certain types of taxes due to the nature of its educational, social and charitable activities. The church does not pay property taxes, however, at the same time, it does not receive funds from the state for the preservation and improvement of spiritual centers.

“Stop playing on our emotions, history, and, already working in politics, collecting money from the Diaspora. Selling candles, Coca-Cola, wine, having restaurants and not paying taxes,” Simonyan said.

The speaker said he wanted to understand why “a clergyman is superior to a simple businessman” who pays taxes.

Simonyan is also dissatisfied with the fact that protesters are gathering right on the territory of the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians in Yerevan, in the courtyard of the Church of St. Anne.

Every day in the courtyard of the St. Anne Church, the leader of the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement holds meetings with citizens and presents the results of the past day, as well as plans for the next one.