November 4 marks the 27th anniversary of the consecration and enthronement of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin congratulated him, wishing him a long life, steadfast resolve and strength to continue his pastoral ministry.
In its message, the Mother See said the Catholicos’ leadership was particularly important amid the challenges facing the Armenian Apostolic Church.
“Today, as the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church faces numerous challenges, His Holiness’ patriarchal leadership and steadfast resolve strengthen us all to remain firm in our faith, unite around the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and preserve the Christian values through which our Holy Church has educated and nurtured its children for centuries.
“We pray to God that the Almighty Lord may always keep the Catholicos of All Armenians in His abundant grace, so that for many years to come, as a courageous and good shepherd, he may guide our faithful people along the path of the Lord, for the glory of Christ, the flourishing of our Holy Church and the peace of our homeland,” the message reads.
The anniversary comes amid a dispute over the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
A report titled “On the Crisis in the Church Resulting from the Activities of the De Facto Head of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Several Senior Clergymen, and Ways to Resolve It” has been published by the Public Relations and Information Center, a state non-commercial organization.
According to the report, its preparation follows from the Armenian government’s 2026–2031 programme and was commissioned by the prime minister.
The document proposes establishing a Reform Coordination Group comprising clergy and laypeople, with a published procedure for expanding its membership.
As a second step, it proposes the “removal of the de facto head” of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
