Priests serving in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued a statement, which reads, in part:
“We, the priests serving in the various ecclesiastical structures of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, reaffirm our oath of allegiance to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and our unconditional devotion to its popularly elected Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II.” As warriors of the Church of Christ, we stand firm on our spiritual frontiers and are defenders of the centuries-old tradition, Orthodox doctrine, apostolic teaching, hierarchical order, and canons of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. We will not tolerate any actions by any external force directed against the autonomy and sovereignty of the Church, aimed at dividing the spiritual unity of the Church, creating schisms, and diminishing the authority of the Church.
We fraternally call upon and urge all clergy not to succumb to temptations and provocations, to act solely from a position of Church unity and the preservation of the canons, for the sake of strengthening the spiritual life of our pious people and the greatness of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.”
Father Minas, Abbot, Priest Martirosyan
Father Khoren, Abbot, Priest Kirakosyan
Father Ghevond, Abbot, Priest Mailyan
Father Paruyr, Abbot, Priest Avetisyan
Father Vahram, Abbot, Priest Melikyan
Father Adam, Abbot, Priest Makaryan
Father Yesai, Abbot Artenyan
R. T. Sipan
Father Grigoryan
R. T. Ovel
Father Gamagelyan
R. T. Ararat
Poghosyan
R. T. Hambardzum, Father Danielyan
R. T. Markos, Father Mangasaryan
R. T. Arsen, Father Mirzoyan
R. T. Sevak, Father Saribekyan
R. T. Andranik, Father Sargsyan
R. T. Hayasa, Fr. Garagezian
R. T. Movses, Fr. Sahakyan
R. T. Komitas, Fr. Ghevondian