Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On August 11 and 13, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Before adopting the agenda, the members of the SSC raised their prayers for the victims of the Lebanon explosion, including the Armenians, extending their condolences to their relatives and support to the people of Lebanon. In this regard, it was announced that the Catholicos of All Armenians has always been in contact with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to remain informed about the current situation and the needs of the Armenian community. In support of the Armenian community, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has transferred 100.000 USD to the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia.

A number of issues related to the Church dioceses, educational, social and church-building programs, as well as various issues of patriotic-national life were on the agenda. The chairman of the sessions was His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Supreme Spiritual Council reflected on the military operations on the Armenian-Azerbaijan borders in Tavush Region in July, which caused a lot of damage to the settlements on the borders, as well as the clashes between the Armenian and Azerbaijani communities in various countries. His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of Tavush Diocese; presented a report related to the latter. Bishop Bagrat particularly emphasized the activities of the clergy of the diocese on these days, noting with gratitude the constant care and attention of the Armenian Pontiff at this time. The Primate also presented the living and material problems of the population caused by the military clashes, as well asthe programs aimed at their solution.

The Council condemned the provocative military operations of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces unleashed against the Republic of Armenia, in this regard emphasizing the importance of the assessments of the international community and the efforts of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The Pontiff of All Armenians expressed his appreciation to the Primate and the clergy of the Diocese for their diligent service in support of the Armenian Army and the population of the border communities. SSC members also conveyed their gratitude to the important mission implemented by the Armenian clergy in various communities of both Tavush and the Diaspora at that time.         

The undesirable developments in Javakhk Region of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia were separately discussed. SSC members expressed concern regarding the evidence, callingon the Armenians in Javakhk to keep the spirit of solidarity. The need for consistent efforts by the clergy of the Diocese of Javakhk was emphasized in order to restore solidarity and peace in the community.

The Supreme Spiritual Council reflected on the concerns related to theDrafts of the State Public Educational Standards and State Public Educational Subject Standards proclaimed by the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

His Eminence Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, Chairman of the Subgroup of the Working Group on the Issues of the Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church; presented a report related to the latter. Archbishop Mikael noted that contrary to the agreements reached with the ESCS Ministry, the Armenian Church has not been included in the process of developing the standards. Moreover, the class hours of the Armenological subjects have been reduced, and there are alsocontent distortions, mistakes and historical-chronological inaccuracies in the published standards. Despite a lot of verifications and assertions, the greater part of the subject of the “History of the Armenian Church” has been excluded from the educational program through dissolution.

[It was announced that on July 10, 2020, the Subgroup sent a letter stating the existing concerns related to theState Public Educational Standards to theESCS Ministry, but it hasthus far remained unanswered.]

It was announced that the existing concerns regarding the state standard of general education were conveyed by the subgroup in a letter of July 10, 2020 to the Ministry of Education and Science, which, however, has thus farremained unanswered.

TheSupreme Spiritual Council, expressing its agreement with the positions of the Mother See's educational subgroup on the draft standards, expressed its concern over the lack of cooperation and constructive dialogue with the authorized bodies of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. The members of the Supreme Spiritual Council noted that the responsibility for the outcome of the aforementioned process lies not only with the state bodies, but also with all the national structures and institutions, because the educational reforms must be aimed at forging a citizen with a national identity who carries the national and spiritual values.

At the meeting Very Rev. Father Archimandrite Mesrop Parsamyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary; reported on the educational processes of the educational institutions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

In particular, the curricula of higher education institutions were discussed, aimed at the education and upbringing of the new generation according to the requirements of the time.

At the meeting a report on the renovation works of the Mother Cathedral was also presented. His Grace Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Director of theOperations Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; presented the work done and the existing difficulties for the attention of the participants.

It was mentioned that due to the severe economic consequences of the pandemic, the nationwide fundraiser organized in the Homeland and the Diaspora for the renovation of the Mother Cathedral has slowed down.

It was considered necessary to make efforts to complete the renovation of the Mother Cathedral in 2021.

The Supreme Spiritual Council members welcomed the report, expressing their appreciation to all the benevolent individuals and institutions for their contribution to this God-pleasing mission.

A report was made by Very Rev. Father Senior Archimandrite Shahe Ananayan, Director of the Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother See; on issues related to the reforms of church life, in particular, the implementation of disciplinary rules within the framework of anti-church activities.

Father Shahe made a comprehensive reference to the rules of the Armenian Church, which are related to ecclesiastical, disciplinary, and theological issues, and regulate church life.

As a result of the discussions, it was decided to form a committee with the mission of creating a document related to the canonical and disciplinary issues of the Church.

Rev. Father Markos Mangasaryan,Director of the Social Services Office of the Mother See; reported on the large-scale social assistance programs implemented by the Dioceses of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in the Homeland and the Diaspora during the pandemic period. It was announced that the value of social assistance, healthcare and educational programs initiated by the Mother See in support of overcoming the pandemic has amounted to 494.183.292 AMD. Over 69 69,724 people were supported within the framework of the food distribution program in Armenia and Artsakh.

The members also reflected on the difficult economic situation in the country caused by the pandemic and future plans to provide assistance to the faithful.

The meeting concluded with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Armenian Pontiff expressed his appreciation to theparticipants for useful discussions, which should contribute to the greater productivity of the mission of the Church.