Consultation on Unconstitutional Measures Against the Armenian Church
07.10.2026
On October 6, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, met at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with leading lawyers, human rights defenders, and constitutional law experts. During the meeting, participants discussed current issues in Church–State relations and National Assembly initiatives concerning the Armenian Church.
The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessing to the participants and expressed appreciation for their consistent efforts to protect the Armenian Church's rights, emphasizing the importance of their professional assistance in identifying legal avenues to address the challenges facing the Church.
Thereafter, Professor Gevorg Danielyan, Doctor of Law, and attorney Ara Zohrabyan, PhD in Law, addressed initiatives concerning the Armenian Church, particularly the report on the Church prepared at the Prime Minister's instruction and the investigative commission established by the National Assembly in this connection.
The speaker also presented information on the progress of criminal proceedings related to the Church and its clergy, the judicial decisions rendered, and the measures being undertaken to protect their rights.
Participants in the consultation condemned the National Assembly's establishment of an investigative commission on the Armenian Church, describing it as manifestly unconstitutional and an attempt to interfere in the Church's internal life and self-governance.
It was emphasized that matters concerning the leadership, internal governance, and canonical life of the Church do not fall within the competence of the National Assembly and cannot be subject to parliamentary oversight.
It was also noted that attempts to establish parliamentary oversight are contrary to the constitutional principles of the separation of Church and State and the autonomy of religious organizations, as well as to international standards for protecting religious freedom.
Proposals were presented on using domestic and international legal mechanisms to protect the rights of the Armenian Church and its clergy, as well as ways to overcome obstacles hindering the Church's normal functioning and spiritual ministry.
In conclusion, the Catholicos of All Armenians reaffirmed that the Armenian Church has always acted and continues to act within the framework of the law, and that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls for the supremacy of rights and the rule of law to be upheld, and the constitutional autonomy of the Church to be respected.
His Holiness emphasized the importance of the professional assessments and proposals presented in addressing the challenges facing the Church. He invoked the Lord’s support for the lawyers in their efforts to defend justice and truth.
