From March 10-13, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council was held in Holy Etchmiadzin, chaired by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Following the welcoming and blessing speech of the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan was invited to chair the meeting.
The Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, His Eminence Bishop Armash Nalbandian, reported on the episcopal meeting held in St. Pölten, Austria, from February 17-19, 2026.
The General Synod noted with satisfaction that the bishops participating in the meeting, in prayerful unity, discussed the challenges facing the Armenian Church, the current state of church-state relations, and issues related to the effective fulfillment of the Church’s mission. They formulated a number of proposals for organizing Church life and overcoming existing problems. The General Synod resolved to implement possible solutions to these issues, emphasizing that existing problems in Church life must be resolved exclusively through legal and ecclesiastical-canonical means.
Vicar Father Ruben Vardapet Zargaryan of the Masyatsotn Diocese provided information on the situation that has developed since the resignation of the Primate. It was noted that the deposed Arman Saroyan, with the illegal support of state authorities, is hindering the pastoral, canonical, and administrative activities of the diocese, causing tension among the clergy and faithful. It was also noted that the majority of the diocese’s clergy continue their pastoral ministry, remaining faithful to church order and canons.
In the context of church-state relations, reports were presented by Dr. Gevorg Danielyan and attorney and PhD in law, Dr. Ara Zohrabyan.
The Supreme Spiritual Council, emphasizing the importance of respecting and preserving the rights and autonomy of the Church, as well as the principles of justice and democracy, condemned the arbitrary, discriminatory actions of the Armenian authorities, the persecution of the Armenian Church and clergy, imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and attempts to create artificial obstacles to Church activity. The Church’s activities are being restricted through the use of state leverage, as well as illegal interference in church life.
Recently introduced bills and bylaws restricting the legal status and activities of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church were also mentioned, with their adoption being viewed as a convenient pretext for the expression and unimpeded dissemination of anti-church theses. It was noted that such initiatives undermine the constitutional foundations of relations between the Church and the State, in particular the right to freedom of conscience and religion.
The Commissioner General also considered unacceptable the fabricated accusations leveled by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his speech to the European Parliament on 11 March 2026 against the Armenian Church and its clergy—”agent of foreign influence,” “war party,” etc.—which clearly constitute an attempt to justify the illegal actions of the Armenian authorities against the Church and the planned further repressions.
His Eminence Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, presented a report on the convening of the Ecclesiastical Representative Assembly, its agenda, and the formation of the organizing committee, scheduled for September 2026. The committee presented the members of the assembly with the preparatory work completed, as well as questions and proposals regarding the organization of the assembly. In this regard, appropriate instructions were issued.
Father Movses Vardapet Sargsyan presented a report on the termination of clergy service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, the pressure exerted on elders, and the problems that have arisen. The General Assembly confirmed that the Minister of Defense’s unilateral decision contradicts the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Law “On Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church,” as well as the relevant government decree, which provide for the service of clergy in the Armed Forces. Emphasizing the importance of the elders’ service in improving the spiritual, moral, and psychological atmosphere in the army, it was deemed necessary to discuss new rules for worship and ways to restore them to legal norms.
Father Gusik Smbatyan, Inspector of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, presented a report on educational life in the spiritual and educational institutions of the See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The parishioners listened to the report with gratitude.
“The meeting emphasized the work aimed at strengthening the training and spiritual education of the clergy, and the participants were urged to continue consistent steps to improve educational programs and attract new students.
The meeting included presentations
“The report on the activities of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin for the 2025 financial year, the final reports on the construction of the Mother Cathedral, and the report of the Audit Commission were presented. The spiritual, cultural, educational, and social programs implemented in Armenia and the diaspora in 2025 were also presented,” the statement reads.