In recent times, the issue of so-called “uncalled-for” defrockings during the reign of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II is being exploited unnecessarily, and exaggerated figures are being publicized, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin noted in a statement.

The statement adds that the real picture is as follows: 101 clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church have been defrocked during the 26 years of the reign of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, of whom 38 left the service at their own request, 27 voluntarily left his place of service, 15 were defrocked based on respective petitions submitted by diocesan primates, and 21—directly by the Catholicos himself.

The aforesaid statement noted that in 2011, at the initiative and direction of the Catholicos, an awards and disciplinary committee was established to examine such matters related to the clergy.

During the 26 years of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II’s reign, 491 clergy were ordained, who today serve in the Armenian Apostolic Church dioceses of Armenia and the Armenian diaspora.