Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, in his patriarchal message for the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany, declared that the Armenian Church “remains holy and sanctifying,” founded by the apostles St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew as “a purification for people, a dwelling for angels, and a house of God.”

He stated that “the Church continues to be subjected to repression.”

“Today, faith and trust are weakening in our society. Disrespectful and reckless behavior is perceived as courage, freedom of speech is twisted into intolerance of dissent, debate turns into insult and defamation, and public benefit and service to the nation are subordinated to personal or group interests… This situation is a serious blow to our nation’s and state’s reputation and a deep wound inflicted on our communities and faithful. Despite illegal and irregular actions, our Holy Church remains steadfast and unshaken with its pious people, loyal to its divine calling and mission,” the Catholicos said.

He reminded that the Armenian Apostolic Church has throughout history been a target of persecution and pressure but has always endured trials, staying faithful to Christ.

“Our Apostolic Mother Church has endured many assaults, gone through terrible hardships and suffering, and been martyred — yet it never succumbed to despair. It knew that true freedom and salvation lie in obedience to Christ and reliance on Him. Life in Christ is filled with love, compassion, honesty, and justice. Christ is the path from darkness to light, from sin to holiness.”

“Dear pious faithful, the angelic message of Christmas and the light of the Bethlehem star remain an invitation to all to transform life through faith in God, to establish peace in the world and goodwill among people. Let us live and act with the Lord, devoting ourselves in every field to faithful and tireless service for the security and prosperity of our personal, family, and national life. Let us be determined to uphold the law, reject injustice and arbitrariness, hatred and vengeance, which greatly harm and undermine our national and state strength,” Karekin II said.

The Catholicos also sent greetings to the other hierarchical sees of the Armenian Church and leaders of sister churches, wishing them success in their God-given missions.

He concluded with a prayer for the Armenian army, the families of fallen heroes, prisoners of war, imprisoned clergy, and the restoration of rights for the Armenians of Artsakh, wishing peace, security, and well-being for all Armenians.

Government officials, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, attended this year’s Christmas liturgy at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan. The liturgy was led by Bishop Anushavan Jamkochyan, one of the clerics who joined the campaign demanding the Catholicos’s resignation. President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan, and others were also present.