The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the governing body of the Armenian Apostolic Church, responded to the statement signed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ten apostate bishops last night.
The respective statement of the Mother See reads as follows:
“a) The actions taken by the head of the government of Armenia under the pretext of regulating and reforming the internal life of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church directly violate the RA [i.e. the Republic of Armenia] Constitution, violate the rights of the Church enshrined both internationally and in the legislation of Armenia.
b) The involvement of bishops in such anti-church processes, the pressure applied to the clergy are condemnable. Discussions of issues related to the life of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church are held exclusively in the relevant church bodies, in accordance with canonical regulations. It is puzzling that the aforementioned ten bishops have not responded in any way to the appeals and invitations addressed to them by the Mother See, continue to avoid meetings and discussions with the Patriarch of All Armenians [i.e. Catholicos Karekin II] and the Supreme Spiritual Council on issues of concern to them.
c) It should be emphasized that the regulatory issues and reform of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church are not reserved for the self-proclaimed council, but for the Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, with its highest structures.
d) Such reckless steps can lead to schism, with painful consequences.”
