The next meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council began in the Mother See of Etchmiadzin

ArmInfo. A regular meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council has begun in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, chaired by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The agenda of the four-day meeting includes issues related to the canonical and diocesan life of the Church, the statutes, the activities of the spiritual and educational institutions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and the strengthening of Christian education in the communities.

The discussion will also focus on existing problems in relations between the Church and the state, criminal proceedings and 23 lawsuits against the Church and clergy, as well as other issues related to increasing the effectiveness of the Church's mission.

As a reminder, since May 2025, the Armenian authorities have launched an active anti-church policy and are seeking the resignation of His Holiness Karekin II, who is elected to this position for life. term.

This campaign targets both clergy and citizens who support the Church. In February of this year, the Armenian Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, and he is banned from leaving the country. The case is based on charges of obstructing the execution of a judicial decision related to the defrocking of Arman Saroyan. Khachatur Galstyan has been appointed prosecutor in the criminal case.

Several other high-ranking clergy are also involved in the case. On August 7, Judge Hakob Manukyan, who was scheduled to preside over the first hearing of the case against the Catholicos of All Armenians and six bishops, recused himself. The case was subsequently assigned to Judge Serzh Rushanyan. The preliminary hearing in the criminal case against the Catholicos of All Armenians and six bishops took place on August 28, 2026, at 4:30 pm at the Vagharshapat courthouse in Echmiadzin.