Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Being deeply concerned about the events occurring around and within the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, we reaffirm our pledge—to remain faithful to Orthodox doctrine, the liturgical-canonical order, and the Throne of Saint Thaddeus—His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who “through righteous teaching instructs us in the word of truth” (Book of Instructions).

Recognising the full gravity of the current situation, we deem the interference of secular authorities in the Church's internal affairs and the threats accompanying it entirely unacceptable.

We consider intolerable the blatant attempts to fracture the unity of the Church through manipulations by the authorities, aimed at persecuting the higher clergy and priests, as well as serving the agenda of deposing the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Doctrinal, theological, liturgical-canonical, and disciplinary matters arising within the Church are resolved exclusively through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with the canonical procedures of the Armenian Church, “in unanimity of thought and agreement of will,” without infringing upon the rights of the clergy or the authority of competent assemblies.

The Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Church, elected by the National Church Assembly and possessing the grace of true consecration, holds all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are imparted to the clergy through the sacrament of ordination or by patriarchal bestowal.

Within the hierarchical order of the Church, the rights and responsibilities of each person are determined according to the gifts of grace mentioned in the ordination prayers. No one is entitled to appropriate ecclesiastical authority acquired through political processes or external interference.

And since a clergyman receives, in ordination, precisely what is granted during the Holy Sacrament, anyone who departs from this principle abuses their authority and is subject to censure, according to the teachings of the Armenian Church.

Steadfast in our spiritual service, we exhort the clergy and faithful of our Church not to yield to temptation, not to be disheartened by the slanders and persecutions directed at the clergy, and not to distance themselves from the spiritual life of the Mother Church.

In this period filled with trials, we expect your devoted participation in the prayers and sacraments of the Church, and we beseech God to cleanse our hearts through repentance and to strengthen us all in faith, preserving the unity of our Holy Church and the steadfastness of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“Churches are neither gifts of kings, nor human art, nor inventions of sages, nor the spoils of valiant warriors, nor the cunning of demons, but the grace of the Great God. Their foundations are laid upon the unshakable Rock, which neither those below nor those above can destroy or move. And that which neither heaven nor earth can shake, let no one among men presume to overcome” Saint Eghishe the Vardapet.