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A photo of a new statement related to a group of bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church is circulating on Telegram channels, reports Armtimes.com, the website of the Haykakan Zhamanak daily owned by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s family.
It states that expert analysis has confirmed the authenticity of the videos attributed to Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which were submitted to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, but he considers these results null and void.
In light of this, a group bishops has called on the bishops and the Armenian public to join the process of cleansing the Armenian Apostolic Church from Arshak Khachatryan and those sharing his guilt
The circulating statement lists the names of Armenian Apostolic Church clergy members, some of whom have signed it.
Later, the aforementioned website reported that examinations carried out by the Investigative Committee of Armenia have confirmed the authenticity of the videos involving Archbishop Khachatryan.
Earlier, we reported that a synod of bishops was convened Tuesday at the Mother See, during which, among other matters, the exhortation of the archbishops and bishops to suspend Archbishop Khachatryan from all his positions and duties for the time being was likely planned to be discussed.
The Investigative Committee of Armenia has initiated proceedings regarding the distribution of the aforesaid videos.
The Mother See issued a statement noting that omitting the Catholicos’ name during Divine Liturgies are subject to the strictest penalties if the cleric who has don that does not repent and correct his uncanonical conduct according to the prescribed procedure.
The aforesaid letter in full, along with the photos, is presented below.
