State officials and POWs from Artsakh still illegally detained in Azerbaijan – Catholicos of All Armenians

On September 4, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, an interchurch forum titled “Living by Faith Today: The 1700th Anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea” was opened. The event was initiated by the Department of Interchurch Relations of Etchmiadzin, with the goal of bringing together young clergy to discuss the challenges facing the Church, reflect on the significance of the Nicene Creed, and strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation.

Held from September 4 to 7, the forum brought together representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church—including the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Jerusalem—as well as delegates from sister churches, various denominations, and interchurch organizations.

The opening began with the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a welcoming address from Reverend Father Garegin Hambardzumyan, Director of the Department of Interchurch Relations of Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Karekin II then delivered a pastoral message and blessing.

The Catholicos addressed the challenges facing the Armenian people today. He recalled the devastating consequences of the war initiated by Azerbaijan in 2020 and the forced displacement of the entire population of Artsakh in 2023—over 120,000 people. He stressed that state officials and prisoners of war from Artsakh are still being illegally held in Azerbaijan and that the destruction of centuries-old spiritual and cultural heritage continues in the occupied territories, including the appropriation of historic sanctuaries under the false claim of their “non-Armenian” origin.

In light of these tragic events, the Catholicos called for a spirit of interchurch cooperation, expressing confidence that only through prayer, dialogue, and joint efforts can peace be strengthened, future tragedies prevented, and God’s will fulfilled in the world.