On December 18, a meeting of the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council residing in Armenia was held at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, chaired by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Holy See announced this.
The meeting discussed the repressions committed against the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, the vicious actions of ten bishops and their schismatic consequences, and ways to overcome the situation surrounding the Church.
The discussion touched on the unlawful persecution of clergy and faithful children of the Church, as well as criminal trials. The Supreme Spiritual Council reiterated its demand that law enforcement and judicial bodies of the Republic of Armenia ensure justice and the rule of law for the clergy, national benefactors, and other devoted Armenians imprisoned on trumped-up charges. It was emphasized that the Mother See must seek, by all available legal means, the protection of the rights of the Church and the clergy, as well as the return of the occupied holy sites belonging to the Church.
The Supreme Spiritual Council recognized as reprehensible the interference of the authorities, and personally the Prime Minister, in the internal life of the Armenian Church and its canonical provisions, which contradicts the Mother Law of our homeland, offends the religious feelings of our people, and violates the rights and centuries-old traditions of the Armenian Church.
In particular, the issue of the forced exclusion of the names of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the head of the diocese from services celebrated in the presence of the Prime Minister was discussed. It was emphasized that this practice was unanimously condemned by the Council of Bishops on November 26 as uncanonical and capable of leading to schism. Members of the General Synod noted with alarm that some bishops who supported the Synod’s decision subsequently participated in distorted ceremonies organized at the initiative of the authorities.
Citing the ten bishops’ vicious actions, their self-isolation from the congregation, and the absence of bishops who are members of the General Synod from the Synods, the General Synod expressed concern over the divisive position taken by the latter, viewing it as a violation of their spiritual covenant and a blow to the unity of the Church. The Supreme Spiritual Council also deemed the unfounded accusations made by the bishops and their methods unacceptable, emphasizing the importance of rejecting imposed anti-canonical programs and returning to the bosom of the Mother Church, guided exclusively by ecclesiastical canonical procedures.
Given the need to overcome the current alarming situation, which is undesirable for the Church and its worldwide flock, the Supreme Spiritual Council deemed it urgent to convene a bishops’ assembly in the near future. Accordingly, appropriate instructions were issued.
The assembly was presented with a proposal to take appropriate measures to cooperate with international organizations and human rights organizations to prevent the dissemination of false information by the state propaganda machine about the current situation in the Church.
The parishioners expressed gratitude to the clergy, who demonstrated fidelity to the Armenian Church during these difficult times, overcoming trials with courage, faith, and unity. The Supreme Spiritual Council called on the clergy to provide their faithful with appropriate information as part of their pastoral mission and to refrain from actions that undermine the unity of the Church.
Referring to the disturbances provoked by the bishops’ meeting during the evening service before the assembly, the Supreme Spiritual Council condemned the illegal actions that violated the monastery’s spiritual atmosphere. Despite the organized disturbances, the parishioners expressed their gratitude to the faithful for their vigilance, devotion to the Church, and faithfulness.