The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expresses its deep concern over the unrest that has arisen in society as a result of another statement by the ten bishops, the Mother See noted in a statement it released Thursday.

“The Mother See calls for vigilance to the Reverend Fathers who took the initiative for the risky gathering [at the Mother See]. Responsibility must be shown to keep the people away from disastrous upheavals and to act exclusively through the canonical procedures of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church. There is no need to exploit the people's cherished feelings and, with a known false agenda, sow discord among the pious children of the Church, disrupting the peace and prayerful environment of the Armenian spiritual center,” the statement adds.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that a group of bishops and archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church who had met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a new statement on Wednesday: “Dear spiritual brothers, faithful Armenian people, on December 18 of this year at 17:00, come and join us at the spiritual center of all Armenians, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, to CALL UPON Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II WITH A JUST DEMAND FOR RETIRING, which has already become an urgent necessity,” their statement read, in particular.

In response, numerous public and political figures have declared their support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and stated that they will be at the Mother See today.