Against the Backdrop of Tensions, Karekin II Issues a Statement

Dear faithful people, with patriarchal love and blessing, we welcome you all to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Today, you have gathered at the spiritual center of the Armenians to express your love for our Apostolic Holy Church. Holy Etchmiadzin is the home for all of you, the native spiritual cradle of every Armenian.

On December 18, during a joint service at the Mother See, Karekin II spoke about this. He particularly noted, “As the historian Apostle Davrizhetsi confirms, the Armenian people, in the diaspora around the world, are connected to the right hand of the Illuminator and Holy Etchmiadzin. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is a symbol of our people's eternal strength with God. The God-built Holy Etchmiadzin is the irreplaceable sanctuary of our faith, protecting the unity of the worldwide Armenian nation and our identity and heritage.”

“Unfortunately, throughout history, there have been forces that have sought to undermine the Church’s mission, using the Church and Holy Etchmiadzin for various narrow interests. This reprehensible reality has created divisions in our national life and has fragmented our people.”

“Our country is facing serious security issues and urgent challenges that need resolution. In this context, instead of reinforcing the spirit of peace, tolerance, and unity among the public, and restoring the disrupted relations between the church and the state, attacks against our Holy Church continue.”

“Unfortunately, another attempted violation occurred today in front of Holy Etchmiadzin, also through some of our clergy, but the faithful children of our people remain steadfast and fearless.”

“This uproar raised against the Church can never disrupt our mission, our plans aimed at the glory of our church and the construction of our country.”

“We extend our patriarchal appreciation to you, dear ones, and all Armenian compatriots, and to national organizations that have consistently shown their support to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the nation-serving mission of our Holy Church during these days of the anti-church campaign.”