Some bishops regret postponement of Synod

PanARMENIAN.Net - A group of bishops who recently met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a public statement expressing regret over the postponement of the upcoming synod, which was scheduled to be held under the leadership of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

According to their statement, the assembly “was delayed without a valid explanation, denying bishops a formal platform to express and argue their canonical positions on pressing issues.”

“The council would have allowed all bishops to voice and justify our canonical perspectives at the highest level. Unfortunately, the serious concerns we raised remain unanswered,” the bishops stated.

They also addressed accusations made by the Mother See, reaffirming “their devotion to the Holy Etchmiadzin, loyalty to the traditions and rules of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and unity with their fellow clergy.”

“We call on our spiritual brothers to avoid provocations, refrain from offensive speech, and not target our sacred mission as bishops, respecting the hierarchical structure of the Church.”

The bishops reiterated their stance, stressing the need for fundamental solutions to what they described as unacceptable developments surrounding the Armenian state and the Church.

“We implore the Almighty Lord for His boundless mercy and support for our homeland, Holy Etchmiadzin, and our devout people,” the statement concluded.

Previously, a group of senior Armenian Church clergy, including archbishops and bishops, accused Catholicos Karekin II of attempting to cover up misconduct by Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, after videos allegedly implicating him surfaced online. The clergy also claimed the Catholicos had violated his oath. On November 29, they publicly called for his retirement. Prime Minister Pashinyan met with the group and welcomed their position.