The Armenian Diocese of Canada has expressed its full support for Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, according to a statement shared on the diocese’s official Facebook page.

The post states that “the Armenian Diocese of Canada, its entire clergy, and the faithful express their unconditional support for Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.”

It continues with a prayerful message:

“Grant long life to the Patriarch,

Long days to the Father of Armenians.

Lord, keep ever unshaken

The Mother See You Yourself have founded.”

This message comes after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan publicly called for the election of a new Catholicos, urging church members to unite in what he described as a Christian and peaceful process to “liberate” the Holy See and elect a truly spiritual leader.

Pashinyan accused Catholicos Karekin II of violating his vow of celibacy and fathering a child, a fact the prime minister claimed he could prove. “Therefore, Karekin II could not and cannot be a bishop, archbishop, or Catholicos,” he wrote, adding that “Ktrich Nersisyan should vacate the Holy See.”