Church of Armenia urges hierarchs who support authorities to return to canons

The Armenian Church. Photo: media.alphanews.am

The press office of the Armenian Church commented to the media on the recent statement by ten bishops who had previously supported the actions of the authorities, calling for Catholicos Garegin II to resign. Later, they expressed dissatisfaction with the postponement of the date of the Bishops' Council. As reported by the website NEWS.am, the office emphasized the need for these archbishops to return to the canonical field and to confirm their loyalty to the Church in practice.

The official commentary notes that Etchmiadzin welcomes the bishops' call to "respect the hierarchical order of the Church" and their declaration of "loyalty to the canons and tradition". In this regard, they are urged to return to the canonical field to practically prove their "unbreakable covenant with Holy Etchmiadzin".

The response emphasizes that the reasons for postponing the Bishops' Council were thoroughly explained – it concerns the complex situation in the country and increased pressure on the clergy, including arrests. These circumstances were outlined in the official release on December 7.

A group of ten bishops who opposed the Catholicos expressed disappointment with the postponement of the Bishops' Council session, scheduled for December 10–12. At the same time, they stated their position regarding "unacceptable phenomena" surrounding the state and the Church, demanding a "fundamental solution" to the current problems.

The Church's website reports that "the Council will take place soon in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin."

As reported by the UOJ, on December 1, 2025, the press service of the Armenian Church stated that Catholicos Garegin II of All Armenians does not intend to leave the throne, despite pressure from a group of bishops and statements by the Prime Minister of Armenia.

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