Statement from the Mother See Regarding Criminal Prosecution of Garegin II

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns and expresses deep indignation regarding the criminal prosecution initiated by the Republic of Armenia's Prosecutor General against His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and the fact that His Holiness' exit from Armenia has been prohibited.

“These actions against the Catholicos of All Armenians are baseless, illegal, and carry a distinctly political nature. With this clearly unconstitutional and unlawful stance, the government is obstructing the pastoral activities of His Holiness. This also demonstrates a disrespectful attitude towards millions of believers and the centuries-old institution that has been and remains an unwavering pillar of Armenian statehood.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls for the immediate reconsideration of the unlawful decisions made against the Catholicos of Armenia, six bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, and the secretary, which divides our society and undermines the credibility and authority of our homeland,” the statement reads.