Catholicos Aram I Issues Strong Warning to Armenian Authorities Over Threats to Church Unity

Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has issued a strong warning to Armenia’s authorities, calling on them to stop any actions that could undermine the unity of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He delivered this message during a liturgy in Cyprus, where he spoke about his concerns regarding the growing tensions around the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Aram I said that church leaders have been watching the situation with increasing concern in recent months. He explained that they have tried many times, and through different ways, to calm tensions and help the sides understand one another. According to him, these attempts included warnings about steps that could lead to division inside the Armenian Apostolic Church.

He said that the situation is now more serious and could bring consequences the Church has never faced before. Aram I described the protection of Holy Etchmiadzin’s unity, and that of the Church overall, as a national responsibility for Armenians everywhere.

In his message, Aram I addressed the authorities of Armenia directly. He urged them to avoid interfering in the internal life of the Church and warned that unconstitutional actions could create divisions within the Church. He said such steps would harm the Church, the Armenian nation, and the homeland itself.

Aram I continued by calling on Holy Etchmiadzin to act with care and wisdom to prevent further division. He said the Mother See must stay united around Catholicos Karekin II and remain guided by core principles of faith. He said that current issues should be examined through a brotherly approach, by following Church rules, and by taking practical steps toward clear decisions.

Aram I also reminded Armenians that the Church is both the house of God and the sacred home of the Armenian people. He said every Armenian has the right and responsibility to care about Church matters and to express opinions, but that these must be shared in a constructive and positive way. He emphasized that involvement should come from a desire to strengthen the Church and help it continue its mission.

His full message included the following statements:

“On various occasions and through different means, we tried to calm the stormy situation and promote mutual understanding, particularly by warning against steps leading to the division of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church. Today, in fact, the situation has become more dangerous, fraught with unprecedented consequences. The firm preservation of the integrity and internal unity of [the Mother See of] Holy Etchmiadzin and, more generally, our Church, and keeping it safe from internal and external threats, is a national priority."

“To the authorities of Armenia to refrain from interfering in the internal life and issues of Holy Etchmiadzin and from engaging in unconstitutional, and therefore unacceptable and condemnable, actions that sow seeds of division through various means within the Church, which could lead our Church, our nation, and our homeland to self-destruction.”

Holy Etchmiadzin must, with prudence, patience, and wisdom, prevent the emergence of divisions within the unified life of the Church and unite around the Catholicos [of All Armenians, Karekin II], as well as around the unified faith and principles, examining existing issues with fraternal spirit, canonical procedure, and a realistic approach, and with determination to make appropriate decisions. The [Armenian Apostolic] Church is the house of God and, at the same time, the sacred house of the [Armenian] nation. Every Armenian has the duty and the right to be concerned about and to express opinions on issues affecting the Church, but in a constructive and positive manner, guided by the desire to restore the Church and driven by a passion to further enhance its mission of service.”

This message comes at a time of rising public debate around the Church, its leadership, and the role of state authorities. Aram I’s remarks show the seriousness with which church leaders view the current tensions and the risks they believe could emerge if unity is not protected.

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