A total of 27 bishops and archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church have issued a statement expressing their “filial unconditional loyalty to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and its nationally-elected pontiff, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.”

The statement adds as follows, in particular: “We consider any attempt to resolve intra-church matters through political interference unacceptable and dangerous, regardless of the reasoning behind it. All issues related to [Armenian Apostolic] Church governance and internal life can definitely be resolved through brotherly love, with the high awareness befitting missionary bishops, through competent church-assembly bodies, in accordance with the established canonical procedures of our Holy Church.

We regard the arbitrary omission of the mention of the Catholicos of All Armenians during the sacred ceremony of the Divine Liturgy as intolerable and condemnable, as a gross liturgical violation that, from a theological perspective, contains elements of division.

We are confident that the unity and peace of our Holy Church transcend personal, group, or other interests and will be strengthened through the path of communion in love, truth, and justice, in accordance with the apostolic exhortation: ‘I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.’(Romans 16:17).

We are convinced that, through the combined efforts of our episcopal body, we will find effective solutions for the benefit of our Holy Church.”