Supreme Spiritual Council Appeals to the National Assembly

Under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement regarding the post-war situation in Armenia and Artsakh.

“1. In recent weeks, amidst the military actions unleashed against Artsakh by Azerbaijan, Turkey, and international terrorist networks, our faithful people in the homeland and the diaspora experienced profound pain and prayed to God, striving to support the people of Artsakh, the Army of Defense of Artsakh, and to raise the voice of the right to free and independent life in Artsakh to the world, continuing to rely on the victorious spirit of their soldier.

2. It is undeniable and vital to maintain the ceasefire and ensure lasting and reliable peace in the region. Nevertheless, the trilateral statement of November 10 concerning the ceasefire, its ensuing consequences, and the present uncertainties, as well as the fact of losing a part of Artsakh, took the public by surprise, leading to a justified outcry that in turn is fraught with destabilization of the internal political situation in the country and threatens to expose the homeland to new dangers.

3. In these days, we must not give in to emotions and primarily honor the memory of our heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for our homeland through exceptional expressions of gratitude, and support their families and our entire nation, as well as properly welcome the brave fighters who fought heroic battles for 44 days at the expense of great sacrifice.

4. Those responsible for the decisions made during this period, as well as for the resolution of the conflict and the restoration of national unity, must carry responsibility with absolute respect for legality, including the possibility of resignations.

5. The rule of law must be maintained, and all political processes should lead to solutions within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia. Furthermore, under the current conditions, it is unacceptable to add to the people's suffering, further jeopardizing the state and our people's future. First of all, the authorities, parliamentary opposition, and all socio-political figures must promptly engage in dialogue to resolve issues in an atmosphere of cooperation. Any deviation from this course cannot be considered acceptable by our people and the Church.

6. Following the speeches of officials made publicly in these days, as well as the rallies and demonstrations of opposition forces taking place in Yerevan, we urge the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, representatives of the authorities, and the opposition to refrain from expressions that incite hatred and hostility, threats, and similar actions. Any manifestation of violence is an act that additionally discourages our people, who bear the pain of loss, and should be condemned. We condemn any violence against the Speaker of the National Assembly or anyone else, as well as politically motivated repression.

7. We urge the National Assembly and especially the interpartisan faction to demonstrate political responsibility with a high awareness of national interests and to restore the normal functioning of the National Assembly, taking into account all obligations stemming from the situation. It is crucial to listen to the voice of the people and address the public's disappointments and demands, acting above personal and party interests, with a high consciousness of state thinking and responsibility. The homeland today requires immediate action.

8. It is our sacred duty to contribute actively to overcoming this situation in Armenia and the diaspora. We must also show commitment to fully supporting the people of Artsakh and the authorities of Artsakh in reorganizing the life of our people's children. In this path, we must defend the right to live on our native land. Artsakh should not be ethnically cleansed.

9. We express special sorrow regarding the orphaning of the age-old witnesses of our identity—chapels, churches, monasteries, fortresses, historical-cultural monuments, and museums—in the territories being surrendered. We call upon the relevant state bodies and the capable powers of the diaspora, together with the Armenian Church, to make every effort to save them from further destruction resulting from Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian policies.

10. The Catholicos of All Armenians, with the support of the Supreme Spiritual Council, must continue his efforts to establish an atmosphere of stability and peace in the country and to conduct the necessary processes through legal means. We pay our respects to all our brave soldiers, servicemen, and volunteers who displayed unparalleled heroism in the sacred cause of defending the homeland. We also pray for the peace of the souls of the fallen, who lost their lives due to military criminal actions, asking for the grace of the Almighty Holy Spirit to comfort and soothe the families of our martyrs, their relatives, and our entire people. We wish healing and renewal of spirit to our wounded soldiers, seeking the Lord's support and assistance for them.

We address our people’s children to remain vigilant, thoughtful, and faithful during these challenging times, trusting that together we can overcome the complex situation, address the arising challenges, and unite to build the strength of our homeland, creating renewed victorious progress and a bright future for our people. We pray that the Almighty Lord keeps our native land steadfast, secure, and peaceful, granting resilience and courage to our entire people.”