ashot navasardyan (1950–1997) and andranik margaryan (1949–2007), founding fathers of the republican party of armenia, were arordiners like many other members of the party and took part in the very first ritual at the temple of garni. the republican party provided financial support for the children of ari until recent times, sponsored the publication of "ukhtagirk" and the set up of a memorial stele to slak kakosyan on the grounds of the temple of garni. arordiner festivals are celebrated in some regions with the support of local municipalities. despite this strong link with the nationalist political scene, the children of ari does not declare a political orientation, and the priests are forbidden from joining any political party.