Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the inclusion in the pre-election program of the “Civil Contract” party of unacceptable provisions concerning the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The consolidation in the pre-election program of a forced agenda, envisaging the reform of the Church, revision of its charter, removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the holding of new elections for the Catholicos, constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional order, an encroachment on the Church’s right to self-governance, and a breach of fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion.

Pre-election promises to continue manifestly illegal actions against the Church once again demonstrate the full anti-Church character and objectives of the ruling political force’s ideology.

The millennia-old mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church, its sacred traditions, and spiritual life must not become the object of political manipulation.

As the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has repeatedly stated, the election of the Catholicos and any changes in Church life fall exclusively within the spiritual-canonical sphere and are therefore beyond the competence of political parties and state authorities.

Such unlawful conduct inflicts serious harm on the nation and is entirely unacceptable. It contradicts the interests of our people scattered across the world, endangers the foundations of the national system of values, and undermines spiritual security.