Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

From September 15–17, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Supreme Spiritual Council held its regular meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Chairman of the Monastic Council, chaired the sessions.

Also participating in the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Aram Atesyan, representative of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, and His Grace Bishop Theodoros Zakarian, Inspector of the Finance Department of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Reports on current challenges in Church–State relations, as well as on criminal proceedings and other legal processes involving the Church and clergy, were presented by Dr. Gevorg Danielyan, Doctor of Law, and Mr. Ara Zohrabyan, PhD in Law.

The participants reviewed legislative initiatives discussed in the National Assembly, as well as provisions concerning the Armenian Church included in the Government’s program.

Information was presented regarding discriminatory administrative practices, obstruction of the Church’s mission, and various forms of pressure exerted against clergy. The Council also examined domestic and international legal mechanisms protecting the Church’s rights and the measures envisaged in this regard.

The Supreme Spiritual Council deemed unacceptable the continuing policy of governmental interference in the Church’s internal life, as well as the measures of pressure, persecution, and restriction imposed upon the Church through the use of state mechanisms.

It has been noted that such actions violate the constitutional guarantees of the Church’s autonomy and the faithful’s freedom of conscience and religion.

The Supreme Spiritual Council condemned authorities’ encroachments on the constitutional status of the Armenian Church, stressing the urgent need to remove obstacles that hinder the normal ministry of the clergy.

His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of the Administrative and Economic Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, reported on artificial obstacles created by state and local self-government bodies of the Republic of Armenia to the normal functioning of the Mother See, particularly the unjustified refusal to facilitate charitable and educational programs, the registration of property rights, and the issuance of construction permits.

The participants discussed possible ways of addressing the existing challenges and protecting the rights of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, emphasizing that obstructing the implementation of pastoral, educational, and charitable programs of national significance causes serious harm to national interests, particularly to the education and formation of the younger generation and to the unhindered fulfillment of the Church’s multifaceted mission.

Reports on the revision of the statutory documents governing the internal life of the Church were presented by His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian and Mr. Ara Zohrabyan.

The Supreme Spiritual Council discussed the proposals and decided to continue refining and clarifying work on the documents in accordance with the canonical principles and sacred traditions of the Armenian Church.

Rev. Fr. Husik Smbatyan, Dean of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary, presented a report about the activities of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin’s spiritual and educational institutions.

He reported on ongoing efforts to attract prospective students, improve education quality, and strengthen the teaching faculty.

The Council underscored the importance of preparing diligent, devoted, and knowledgeable clergy, emphasizing the need to improve academic programs, review curricula and teaching methodologies, strengthen the faculty, deepen the theological knowledge of seminarians, and develop their pastoral skills.

His Grace Bishop Zakaria Baghumyan, Director of the Christian Education Center of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presented a report on the preparation of a methodological guide for spiritual pastors on organizing Christian education in local communities, the establishment of a unified system of Sunday schools, and the development of educational programs and instructional materials.

The Supreme Spiritual Council received the report with satisfaction. The Council directed that, in cooperation with the dioceses and spiritual pastors, practical steps be taken to expand Sunday schools’ activities and encourage children's and youngsters' participation in spiritual and educational programs.

The meeting also addressed other matters relating to diocesan life and to enhancing the effectiveness of the Church’s mission.

The meeting concluded with the blessing and words of appreciation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.