‘We express unconditional devotion to nationally elected Patriarch’ – statement of archbishops and bishops

Twenty-seven Armenian bishops and archbishops issued a statement in support of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

“We, the undersigned archbishops and bishops of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, express our filial and unconditional devotion to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and its nationally elected Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.

We consider any attempt to resolve internal church matters through political interference—whatever the reasons may be—unacceptable and dangerous. All matters related to the governance and internal life of the Church can be resolved without discrimination, in brotherly love, with the high consciousness befitting apostolic bishops, through competent ecclesiastical and congregational bodies, in accordance with the canonical procedures of our Holy Church.

We deem unacceptable and reprehensible the arbitrary refusal to mention the name of the Patriarch of All Armenians during the Holy Liturgy, as this constitutes a gross violation of ritual canons and, from the perspective of ecclesiology, contains elements of schism.

We are convinced that the unity and peace of our Holy Church are above personal, group, or other interests and will be strengthened through the sacrament of love, truth, and justice, confirmed by the apostolic exhortation: ‘I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them’ (Romans 16:17-24).

We are confident that through the collective efforts of our bishops we will find effective solutions for the benefit of our Holy Church,” the statement reads.

The statement was signed by:

– Archbishop Khajak Parsamyan
– Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian
– Archbishop Hagop Kelendjian
– Archbishop Yezras Nersisyan
– Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
– Archbishop Haigazun Najarian
– Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan
– Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan
– Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan
– Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian
– Bishop Hovakim Manukyan
– Bishop Tatev Hakobyan
– Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian
– Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan
– Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan
– Bishop Markos Hovannisyan
– Bishop Moushegh Babayan
– Bishop Nareg Berberian
– Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan
– Bishop Daniel Findikyan
– Bishop Tiran Petrosyan
– Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
– Bishop Oshakan Gyulgyulian
– Bishop Aren Shahenian
– Bishop Grigor Khachatryan
– Bishop Kirakos Davtian
– Bishop Makar Hakobyan