In Response to Media Inquiries
05.01.2026
In connection with the statement signed last evening by the Prime Minister and ten bishops, we deem it necessary to emphasize the following:
a. The actions undertaken by the Head of the Government of Armenia, under the pretext of bringing the internal life of the Church into accordance with the canons and reforming it, constitute a violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and infringe upon the rights of the Church enshrined both in international law and in the legislation of Armenia.
b. The involvement of bishops in such anti-Church processes, as well as the pressure exerted upon the priestly order, is wholly condemnable. Matters concerning the life of the Church are to be discussed exclusively within the appropriate ecclesiastical bodies and in accordance with canonical regulations.
It is troubling that the aforementioned ten bishops have, to date, failed to respond to the appeals and invitations addressed to them by the Mother See and continue to avoid meetings and discussions with the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as with the Supreme Spiritual Council, on matters of concern to them.
c. It must be emphasized that matters of canonical order and Church reforms do not fall within the purview of any self-proclaimed council, but rather pertain to the competence of the Hierarchy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and its highest structures.
d. Such imprudent steps may lead to a schism, with grave consequences.
