The senior clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church condemned the anti-church campaign of the Armenian authorities and the investigative commission created by parliament on the issue of the Armenian Church.

ArmInfo. Under the chairmanship of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, a meeting of bishops, heads of Armenian dioceses, and vicars was held in the Mother See of Etchmiadzin. The participants issued a statement regarding the illegal campaign unleashed by the Armenian authorities against the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), as well as the processes initiated in the National Assembly.

According to a statement released by the AAC press office, the participants, in particular, expressed disagreement with the actions of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against the Armenian Church and condemned the creation by the National Assembly of an investigative commission to study the "crisis" in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

"This initiative once again violates the internationally recognized fundamental principles of religious freedom and the autonomy of the Church, which seriously calls into question the rule of law in the country. The ruling political force, using illegal methods, repression, and artificial obstacles to church activities, is attempting to interfere in the internal life and self-governance of the Armenian Church," the meeting participants stated.

They noted that the National Assembly is thus being transformed into a platform for the dissemination of anti-religious sentiments, hatred toward the Church and clergy, unfounded accusations, and insults. According to them, the established investigative commission is vested with powers and jurisdiction not provided for by law. In this regard, they called on the parliamentary majority to exercise common sense and responsibility, acting solely within the bounds of their constitutional authority.

"Our demand is that state authorities refrain from any unlawful actions against every member of our Holy Church and refrain from abusing their powers. Attempts to establish political control over the internal life of the Church or to usurp the powers of ecclesiastical canonical bodies are in no way justifiable. Founded from the outset on lies, slander, and delusions, this process will inevitably have a negative impact on national life, cause new schisms, and breed hostility and intolerance in society," the meeting participants emphasized.

They noted that the internal and external challenges facing the Motherland oblige everyone to be united, harmonious, and decisive. "We call on the children of our Holy Church to maintain spiritual vigilance and prayerful calm, and to express their attitude toward these anti-church and unacceptable phenomena exclusively through dignified and legal means. The Mother See of Etchmiadzin will resolutely seek to protect the rights of the Armenian Church and its believers by all legal means. Wisdom, faith, and hope to all of us for the dignity of overcoming modern trials," the statement concludes.

As a reminder, at the end of September 2026, the Prime Minister's Office published an official report on the "crisis in the Armenian Apostolic Church," containing accusations against the senior clergy and a reform plan that calls for the replacement of the Catholicos and the adoption of a new church charter. In October 2026, the Armenian Parliament, on the initiative of the ruling Civil Contract faction, created a special investigative commission to study the situation in the Church and develop legislative changes aimed at "stopping the takeover of the Church."

It should be added that at the October 6 parliamentary session, the opposition factions "Armenia" and "Strong Armenia" announced that they would not participate in the work of the investigative group created by the ruling faction "Civil Contract" to investigate the "crisis in the Church."