The “report” on the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church publicized by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA) is unconstitutional, anti-canonical, and unlawful in its content and form, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has announced in a statement Thursday.

“The ‘report,’ composed on the basis of accusations and slander publicized on social media and in the media with the waste of state funds, is a manifestation of political revenge, vendetta, and condemnable interference in the internal life of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church.

We consider it appropriate to once again record the position adopted by the Bishops' Synod convened in Saint Polten, Austria, on February 17-19, 2026, according to which it is necessary for the RA authorities to:

- stop the persecution of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church and respect the centuries-old sovereignty and autonomy of the Church, anchoring Church

-state relations on mutual respect, a clear separation of powers, and the priority of national interests,

- put an end to the repression of clergymen [of the Armenian Apostolic Church] and the nationally elected Patriarch of All Armenians through fabricated accusations and slander,

- act exclusively in accordance with the RA Constitution, legislation and international laws, and remain faithful to the proclaimed democratic principles—guaranteeing freedom of conscience, religion and belief in the country, ensuring social solidarity instead of division,

- dispel existing problems and disagreements in the spirit of dialogue, without preconditions—refraining from unpromising ultimatum language.

It is obvious that the RA authorities are making efforts to create an artificial crisis in [Armenian Apostolic] church life. Any reform movement dictated by arbitrary political approaches, machinations, and coercion is unacceptable.

The processes of overcoming the challenges facing the Armenian Church and improving it are carried out solely by decisions of the highest canonical church bodies.

This reprehensible policy adopted to weaken the [Armenian Apostolic] Church, discredit the clergy [of the church] can never serve the good of the homeland and our people throughout the world, to strengthen unity, especially to withstand the current trials in the face of external security threats,” the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin added in its statement.