The Armenian Church’s Supreme Spiritual Council convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin from June 11 to 13. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the meeting, which featured an expanded roster of participants.
It was jointly chaired by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of America.
Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of our own Eastern Diocese, traveled to Armenia for the meeting as a formal member of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
An important part of the discussion involved concerns over Armenia’s present security, internal unrest, and a June 12 incident in which police used force against a peaceful protest in Yerevan. The council issued a statement appealing to Armenia’s authorities to respect the rule of law, and calling on all Armenians to work towards societal solidarity during a critical moment in the republic’s existence. (Click here to read the statement.)
The Supreme Spiritual Council also heard reports on the renovation of the Mother Cathedral, which is in its final stage and will re-open, with a special consecration ceremony, in September. That period will also include the Blessing of Holy Muron, whose preparations were also detailed to the council.
Other matters under discussion included plans to convene a National Ecclesiastical Assembly of the worldwide church at Holy Etchmiadzin in 2025.
Click here to read more in Armenian.