The World Council of Churches has expressed concern about the situation surrounding the church.
08-08-2026 10:28 Armenia Press of Diaspora
Azatutyun: The World Council of Churches has addressed the situation surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church, expressing concern about "unnecessary interference in the church's internal affairs."
The Council emphasized the vital role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual, cultural, and historical life of the Armenian people.
The organization expressed hope that the ongoing conflict would be resolved in a way that would contribute to the well-being of the entire Armenian nation.
"In this period, we stand in prayer and support alongside the Armenian Apostolic Church and its people," the statement said.
The trial of the Catholicos of All Armenians began yesterday. The Catholicos is accused of obstructing the execution of a court order, in a case in which six high-ranking clergy members of the church were also accused.
This case pertains to Bishop Gevorg, one of the 10 bishops who joined the Prime Minister's anti-Catholicos campaign. The Catholicos had dismissed him, while the court ordered his reinstatement. However, the Mother See did not reinstate him and defrocked him, stating that these matters are not within the court's jurisdiction and that this is an interference in the church's autonomy. The investigation considered this as obstruction of a court order.
"We regret to note that our Holy Church and its clergy are being persecuted by the authorities, with illegal and fabricated criminal cases leading to detention and restrictions on the freedom of several of our clergy, national benefactors, and other individuals devoted to the church," stated Karekin II yesterday.
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
