Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, speaking at the Holy Translators Church in Marseille, strongly criticized what he described as the anti-church stance adopted by the Armenian authorities.
“Our homeland and the Armenian Church are facing serious hardships and great challenges. Hearts of our children still bleed, unresolved remain the defense of Artsakh Armenians’ rights, the release of our compatriots held captive in Azerbaijan, and the halt of ongoing cultural genocide,” Garegin II said, as reported by Aysor.am .
He emphasized that the church plays a vital role in strengthening the people during such trials.
“The Church is not merely a structure of stone, but the collective faith of our people. You are the Church, dear faithful, through your pious lives and God-pleasing deeds,” he said.
The Catholicos expressed confidence that, with faith and unity, the people will overcome these trials and resist the malicious attacks targeting the church.
Meanwhile, a group of senior clergy — archbishops and bishops — released a statement accusing Karekin II of covering up the actions of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See, citing leaked videos. They claimed Karekin II had betrayed his oath. Prime Minister Pashinyan met with the dissenting clergy and welcomed their position. On November 29, they issued another statement demanding that the Catholicos step down.
In response, 27 senior Armenian Apostolic clergy signed a declaration of unconditional loyalty and filial devotion to the Catholicos, who has called an assembly for December 10–12.
