Supreme Spiritual Council condemns government interference in Armenian Apostolic Church and demands justice for persecuted

Under the chairmanship of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a session of the Supreme Spiritual Council convened on December 18 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Council discussed the pressure exerted on the Church, irregularities in the activities of ten bishops and their divisive consequences, as well as the unlawful persecution of clergy and believers. It was emphasized that justice and the protection of the Church’s rights must be ensured, and illegally seized sacred sites must be returned.

The Council condemned the interference of the authorities and the Prime Minister in the internal life of the Armenian Church, including the forced removal of the names of the Catholicos and diocesan primate from liturgical services, which was deemed uncanonical and dangerous for unity. Concern was expressed over the isolation of ten bishops and the baseless accusations against them. The Council urged them to abandon imposed agendas and return to the Church.

A decision was made on the necessity of convening a bishop’s assembly in the near future and cooperating with international organizations to counter distorted state propaganda.

The Council expressed gratitude to the clergy and faithful for their loyalty and courage, condemned the disturbances outside the cathedral, and underscored the importance of preserving the unity of the Church.