Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

We, the priests serving in the dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in Armenia, offer gratitude to our Heavenly Lord for the grace and opportunity, under the high presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to gather at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—Descent of the Only-Begotten—united in prayer and reflection upon our sacred mission, and to raise our supplications for our faithful people scattered across the world and for our homeland.

We are deeply troubled by the painful developments unfolding in recent days in our native country.
Amid complex geopolitical realities, the political persecutions carried out under various pretexts, and the campaign unleashed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and representatives of the ruling power against the Armenian Church and its clergy, are severely disrupting national life. In the face of challenges, they undermine the unity of our people and weaken the standing of our state in the global arena.

The inappropriate conduct and indecent rhetoric of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia toward the Holy Church, the ongoing threats, and the blatant attempts to sow division among the clergy offend the sincere feelings of our faithful throughout the world. They also constitute a direct violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations,” and numerous international obligations.
The imprisonment of Mr. Samvel Karapetyan—a national benefactor who stood in defense of the Armenian Church—is to be condemned. Equally unacceptable is the authorities’ deliberate disregard for the principle of the presumption of innocence in the case of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and his supporters, taken into custody.

With profound sorrow and righteous indignation, we witnessed on June 27 the forcible intrusion of large numbers of law enforcement forces into the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, aimed at arresting Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan. Despite assurances that His Grace would voluntarily appear before the Investigative Committee after the clergy gathering at 16:00, the law enforcement agents chose to proceed with a plan involving the use of disproportionate force. The rightfully provoked our collective protest and disrupted the conduct of our annual clergy assembly.
Archbishop Mikael appeared at the Investigative Committee voluntarily. Such an assault on the Holy of Holies of the Armenian people, the disruption of the sacred atmosphere of prayer, and the demonstrated attitude toward the Catholicos of All Armenians and the clergy are wholly unacceptable and deserving of the strongest condemnation.

The incitement of enmity and hate speech, the spread of discriminatory propaganda, and calls for various forms of violence are dangerous and destructive; they can never bring good to our nation or homeland.
The assaults upon the hierarchy of the Armenian Church, the targeting of our sacred values and sanctities, are unacceptable and intolerable. They carry the risk of irreversible consequences for the future of the Armenian nation. There is no need to push our homeland and our people toward new upheavals and calamities.

Fully aware of the mission of the Armenian Church in preserving national unity, fostering social harmony, and strengthening Armenian statehood, we—as spiritual shepherds—remain unwavering in our vocation to serve our Savior Lord and to proclaim His life-giving Holy Gospel; to illuminate the spiritual life of the Armenian people; and to stand for truth and justice as established by the Lord in the national field.
Amid these assaults, we shall stand firmly alongside our communities to defend the rights of our Holy Church, to pursue justice, and to work toward the release of the detained Archbishops and nationals.

We shall unwaveringly continue to cultivate faith, hope, and love within our people, to fortify their devotion to our Holy Church and our sacred national values, by which, as throughout the centuries, we may overcome all trials and tribulations that lie ahead.
Faithful to the Myuron-anointed Holy Etchmiadzin, we express our filial support to the Shepherd of the Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, who—amidst these stormy times—leads the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and our faithful people with God-given wisdom, composure, and tireless care toward peaceful and secure horizons.

With hope in God, we beseech the Lord to stretch forth His All-protecting Right Hand over our people dispersed throughout the world, to preserve our homeland in peace and tranquillity, and to keep His Holy Church steadfast and resplendent.