Out of 42 military chaplains who served in Armenia’s armed forces, 35 have returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This was announced by Father Yesayi Artinyan, head of the Information Department of the Mother See, according to Sputnik Armenia.

He noted that following the Defense Minister’s order to terminate spiritual service in the armed forces, 3 chaplains transitioned to mandatory military service, as they were conscripts. Four joined the so-called “reform” movement within the Armenian Church, while the remaining 35 have rejoined the Mother See and are awaiting new appointments.

"According to the Law on the Relationship between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, the church is authorized to maintain a permanent clerical presence in military units. Moreover, under the agreement between the Mother See and the Ministry of Defense, spiritual service in the Armed Forces is terminated only through the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians and a corresponding order from the Ministry of Defense. Both these provisions have been clearly violated," Father Yesayi emphasized.

He further stated that halting spiritual service does not serve the interests of soldiers or the Armenian army and called for the defense minister’s decision to be reconsidered.

On January 30, Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan officially ordered the termination of spiritual service in the armed forces. Reports suggest that certain senior military officials pressured chaplains to join the Church Reform Council, which seeks the resignation of the Catholicos. The chaplaincy was established on November 13, 1997, through a joint initiative by Catholicos Кareкin I and then-defense minister Vazgen Sargsyan.