Clergymen under ban from absenteeism to participate in the Bishops’ Assembly remotely


At the invitation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, the Bishops’ Assembly will be held in the Austrian city of Sankt Pölten on February 16-19. The authorities have imposed a ban on six bishops and an archbishop, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, from being absent from the country. Remote participation cannot pose a problem in terms of legitimacy and challenging the decisions made.

Diaspora Leaders Call on All Armenians to Protect Armenian Apostolic Church


Armenian Diaspora leaders have written an open letter to the Armenian government warning that the government’s persecution of the church is risking severing ties with the Diaspora and the global community. They say the continued attacks on church leaders and threats of the forced removal of its leader are a direct threat to all Armenians around the world. The letter was signed by Noubar Afeyan, Anthony Barsamyan, Lord Ara Darzi, Eric Esrayelyan, Vache Manukyan, Joseph Ughurlyan and Perch Sedrakyan. They call on all Armenians in the Diaspora to raise their collective voices and demand the realization of their right to practice their religion in a self-reforming church free from political interference.

Armenia was the last country where one could imagine an imprisoned archbishop. Joel Veldkamp


A religious media outlet published an article titled “Visiting an Armenian Archbishop in Prison” by Joel Veldkamp, ​​the public outreach director for Christian Solidarity International. The international observer describes his visit to Armenia as part of a group working to protect the rights of persecuted Christians and his meeting with Archbishop Bagrat in prison. He noted in the article that Pashinyan has resorted to old Soviet methods. He has assembled a group of rebel bishops who are calling for “reform” of the church, much as the Bolsheviks used a group of “free church” clergy in the 1920s to foment division.
 

International expert examination of videos attributed to Archbishop Arshak ready


The Archbishop’s lawyer, Arsen Babayan, wrote that in November of last year, he sent the videos for international examination to determine their authenticity. Expert opinions from three different countries confirm the Archbishop’s claim that he had nothing to do with the content of the videos.
 

The Pope of Rome made a special reference to the tradition of the Armenian Church at St. Paul's Cathedral


The Holy Father, during the closing ceremony of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, announced that this year’s prayers have been prepared by the Churches of Armenia. He believes that they are a testimony to the courageous Christian faith that the Armenian people have demonstrated throughout their history. The Pope emphasized that Armenia, as the first Christian nation, very early accepted the Gospel, thanks to the fearless preachers of the Word of Salvation. From that country, the faith spread to the East and the West, becoming a seed of unity and peace.

Diocesan leaders have been appointed by the patriarchal direction of the Catholicos of All Armenians


By the pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Bishop Partev Barseghyan, having been relieved of his post as Primate of the Gegharkunik Diocese, was appointed Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Switzerland. By another order, the spiritual inspector of penitentiary institutions, Father Isahak Poghosyan, was concurrently appointed Vicar of the Gegharkunik Diocese.
 

St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, the Primate's seat, was re-consecrated in Baghdad


After a year-long renovation, the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, the Primate's seat of the Iraqi-Armenian Diocese, was reopened in Baghdad on December 20. The church, built in 1957, has never undergone such an extensive and comprehensive renovation.

 

The holding of the Episcopal Assembly in Austria is conditioned by the situation in Armenia


The planned Episcopal Assembly in Austria is conditioned by historical, canonical and situational circumstances, with the aim of ensuring the free, legal and full course of the conference. This decision stems from historical experience and the current situation, the aim of which is to ensure the free course of the conference and the full adoption of decisions, without external pressure.

The number of clergy defrocked during the reign of His Holiness Karekin II, the Patriarch of All Armenians


Some of the clergy voluntarily left the spiritual sphere, unable to bear the heavy burden of the church. Some did not justify the hopes of their spiritual leaders. According to statistics, in fact, 38 clergy left the sphere by their own application, 27 voluntarily left the place of service, 15 were defrocked based on petitions submitted by diocesan leaders, and 21 were directly defrocked by His Holiness the Patriarch.

 

The first Liturgy was served in the church of the village of Ararat under the leadership of Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan


By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, was dismissed from his post due to abuse of the position of Primate, failure to fulfill his duties, and coercion and pressure on the clergy of the diocese. Archimandrite Ruben Zargaryan was appointed the Vicar of the Diocese of Masyatsotn. The diocese was facing crises of governance and internal division, and the need to restructure its spiritual life.

Clergymen have made statements in support of Catholicos of All Armenians


Amid the slanderous attacks against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, hundreds of public statements of loyalty and support have been made by the church system. They have been made individually, by united dioceses, and officially.

Our prayer is that all the captives return to their homeland as soon as possible. Catholicos of All Armenians


The Catholicos of All Armenians, addressing the topic of the return of the captives, wished that with the blessing of the Lord and the support of the entire people, they will restore the peaceful and normal course of their lives.