The Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church issued a clarification in response to media reports attributing certain statements to its Diocesan Council.

The diocese emphasized that its institutional role has been “inappropriately and spiritually misrepresented.”

“It is necessary to clarify that the Diocesan Council of Artsakh has not issued or adopted any official statements in recent times. Certain individual members have attributed their personal political declarations to the council, exceeding the advisory scope of their role under the diocesan leader,” the statement read.

The current council was formed by Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, the Diocesan Primate, with member appointments approved by the Catholicos on March 11, 2024. Some council members, including the chairperson, have served as staff at the diocese’s Yerevan office since June 2024.

On November 28, Bishop Vrtanes met with three of the eight council members in Yerevan and presented his vision for overcoming the current crisis and preserving the authority and mission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His stance, shaped by four decades of service in the Church, has also been made public.

However, the diocese expressed regret that some council members, who are also staff at the Yerevan office, distorted the meeting's format and content for political motives and even launched a smear campaign against the Primate and their own workplace.

The statement noted that these claims were falsely presented in the media as official council statements, despite only three members meeting informally with the bishop. Under diocesan rules, a formal council meeting can only be convened by the Primate, which did not occur.

The diocese lamented that this misuse of its spiritual authority amid broader political tensions only harms the institution’s role at a critical time for the people of Artsakh.

“We believe that through committed and faithful work, we can strengthen Armenian statehood and the Church, and contribute to protecting our people's rights and aspirations with the right approach to their significance,” the statement concluded.

A group of senior clergymen, including bishops and archbishops, earlier accused Catholicos Кarekin II of “covering up the misconduct” of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, citing leaked video footage. They also claimed the Catholicos had betrayed his sacred oath. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with the dissident clergy and welcomed their stance. On November 29, they called for the Catholicos to retire. Among the signatories was the head of the Artsakh Diocese, drawing criticism from many in Artsakh.