Archbishops Mikayel and Bagrat Demand the Dismissal of 10 Bishops

Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan have issued a statement demanding the dismissal of 10 bishops. Following the announcement made on November 27 and subsequent developments, we are compelled to lament a series of concerning circumstances that are, in essence, extraordinary phenomena in the ecclesiastical history of the past two centuries.

This is stated in the declaration by Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.

• a / Out of 57 members of the hierarchy of the Mother See, 10 have officially declared that they no longer wish to be part of our brotherhood. In doing so, they have self-identified as strangers to us, despite having enjoyed our brotherly trust and regard for decades.
• b / We assess these events as deeply treacherous and conspiratorial betrayal. They could have presented their grievances through appropriate ecclesiastical channels, openly and honestly, but chose a secretive, covert, and treacherous path instead.
• c / These individuals have not missed an opportunity to flatter and ingratiate themselves with the Supreme Patriarch, from whose care they have received their high positions and titles without deserving them. The only 'error' of the Patriarch may have been his unwavering trust and forgiveness towards them.
• d / At least six of the mentioned individuals participated in the National Ecclesiastical Assembly of 1999 and voted in favor of the then Patriarch, proudly speaking about it for a full 26 years. At the same time, they have criticized and mocked those clergy who did not attend the assembly or expressed support for other candidates.
• e / The other four have endured from their student days to their episcopal service under the patronage of the Patriarch and received their titles through his hand. This also characterizes their personal nature.
• z / Opposing the Patriarch can be possible and sometimes necessary, which we have done numerous times, receiving his discontent. Meanwhile, they have only fawned for 26 years, and today suddenly stand beside power in the name of 'principledness' to save their own skins. This behavior, in essence, is self-annihilation. 'Like finds like.'

e / The current situation is unprecedented in the Armenian Apostolic Church in the last two centuries and demands a corresponding, decisive, and principled response. Addressing the Supreme Patriarch, we propose:

• To terminate the tenure of the divisive and disobedient leaders.
• To appoint new leaders on the relevant topics.
• To convene a bishops' assembly, ensuring the participation of our three bishops, or after our freedom.
• After the bishops' assembly, to convene the National Ecclesiastical Assembly.

Addressing the priests of the relevant themes, we call upon them:

• Do not obey the divisive leaders and immediately reaffirm loyalty to the Supreme Patriarch by submitting to his directives.

We hope that at least some of the betrayers will accept the path of Peter, repenting while preserving their clerical title. Unfortunately, others await the fate of Judas. We call upon the clergy and the faithful to remain steadfast to the Holy Church and to be loyal to the anointed Patriarch of the Armenians. This is a time of trial for all of us when 'evil is roaring to devour.'

‘They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us...' (1 John 2:19)

'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' (Romans 12:21)

As a postscript, God forbid that it becomes evident that the betrayers have also been involved in the imprisonment of us and Bishop Mkrtich, regarding which there are serious assumptions.