A recent meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council's Armenia-based members at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin proposed appealing to international organizations and human rights bodies to “counter the false narratives” about the Church allegedly spread by the state propaganda apparatus.

The Council also deemed it urgent to convene a Bishops’ Assembly in the near future, according to the Mother See’s Information Department. Relevant instructions have been issued.

The meeting addressed what were described as ongoing repressions against the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the “misguided actions” of ten bishops, their divisive impact, and ways to overcome the current crisis surrounding the Church.

Discussions included alleged unlawful prosecutions and criminal cases targeting clergy and devout Church members. The Council reaffirmed its demand for Armenia’s law enforcement and judiciary to ensure justice and legality for clergy, a national philanthropist, and other devoted Armenian individuals who it claims have been imprisoned on fabricated charges. It emphasized that the Mother See must pursue all available legal avenues to defend the rights of the Church, its clergy, and reclaim its seized sanctuaries.

The Council condemned what it called government and Prime Ministerial interference in the internal affairs and canonical structures of the Armenian Church, describing it as unconstitutional, offensive to the people’s religious sentiments, and a violation of the Church’s rights and centuries-old traditions.

Also discussed was the issue of omitting the names of the Catholicos of All Armenians and diocesan leaders during liturgies attended by the Prime Minister, a practice the November 26 Bishops’ Assembly had unanimously condemned as uncanonical and potentially schismatic. Council members expressed concern that some bishops who had supported the earlier resolution later took part in ceremonies organized under government auspices.

The Council rejected the unsubstantiated accusations made by certain bishops and urged a rejection of imposed and uncanonical agendas, calling for a return to the Mother Church and adherence to canonical procedures.

Attending members expressed gratitude to the clergy and faithful who have remained loyal to the Church despite the artificially inflamed tensions, demonstrating vigilance and commitment.

On December 18, the ten bishops who had previously called for a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and demanded that Catholicos Karekin II step down, issued a statement in Etchmiadzin and departed swiftly. Meanwhile, the Catholicos was present inside the Mother Cathedral for a religious service.

"Another attempt to attack Holy Etchmiadzin took place today, sadly with the involvement of some of our own clergy. Yet, our faithful remain steadfast and fearless. The noise created within the Church will never derail our mission and plans, aimed at the Church’s glory and the nation’s strength," Catholicos said.