AAC: "Internal contradictions" narrative is artificial, intended at  legitimizing authorities` illegal interference in  Church`s  affairs

ArmInfo.  On January 13, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council was held under the  chairmanship of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The meeting was chaired by Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan.

According to the press service of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, the  meeting opened with the Lord's prayer, after which the Catholicos of  All Armenians extended his blessings and best wishes to the members  of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

The meeting's agenda included  administrative, canonical, and  pastoral issues of the Church. Dr. Gevorg Danielyan, church  historian, presented a report on church-state relations and the  current situation. It was emphasized that issues of concern to the  Armenian Apostolic Church are being addressed by the relevant  structures in accordance with established church procedure, and  adequate solutions are being proposed. It was noted that the  disseminated thesis of "intra-church contradictions" is artificial  and is intended at legitimizing the authorities' illegal interference  in the Church's internal affairs. It was also emphasized that since  the end of May 2025, the anti-church campaign initiated by the  authorities has become systematic, involving unconstitutional  actions, criminal prosecutions, and repression against the clergy.

The Supreme Spiritual Council expressed gratitude to the faithful who  have supported the Armenian Church, as well as to the organizations  and individuals who legally express their firm position in defense of  the rights of the Church. Considering the Church's accusation of  political interference unfounded and unacceptable, the Supreme  Spiritual Council rejected the ruling authorities' attempts to  involve the Armenian Apostolic Church in political processes by  creating an artificial agenda, leading to new divisions and  contradictions in national life.

The Supreme Spiritual Council also expressed concern over the  divisive position taken by ten bishops, as well as the slanderous  statements and accusations made in public speeches against the Throne  and Catholicos of All Armenians. The parishioners strongly condemned  the bishops' participation in the so- called "Holy Church Reform  Program," initiated and openly sponsored by the Prime Minister, as  well as the illegal pressure and threats against the clergy by  diocesan leaders, with the participation of local authorities, law  enforcement agencies, and security forces. The Supreme Spiritual  Council called on the clergy not to succumb to illegal coercion and,  remaining true to their calling, to be guided exclusively by the  canonical order of the Armenian Church. After discussing ways to  overcome the current situation, it was decided to hold an Episcopal  Assembly and a Prayer meeting in February 2026. These events were  originally convened at the end of last year, but were temporarily  postponed.