The Meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council Concluded
01.09.2023
From August 28 to 31, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, the regular meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council (SSC) was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamyan, Pontifical Legate of Western Europe and His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were the chairman of the meeting sessions.
His Grace Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh and Mr. Gevorg Danielyan, SSC member presented a report on the situation created in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression and complex geopolitical developments.
It was noted with great concern that, taking advantage of the tense international situation, the authorities of Azerbaijan, within the framework of the adopted state policy, are not only trying to occupy Artsakh, but also the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia. In this context, a reference was made to the complete blockade of Artsakh as a result of the blocking of the Berdzor Corridor and the inhuman oppression and genocidal acts against the Artsakh Armenians, as a result of which all spheres of the country's life have been disrupted.
The steps and actions initiated by the Azerbaijani authorities aimed at the destruction and usurpation of ethnic Armenian traces were also presented.
As a result of the discussions about the reports, the SSC issued a separate statement.
His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Grace Bishop Moushegh Babayan, Grand Sacristan of the Mother See, made a report regarding the re-consecration of the Mother Cathedral and interior decoration and neighborhood improvement.
It was recorded that in on October 1, 2023, representatives of Sister Churches and inter-church structures, high-ranking spiritual fathers and religious pilgrims from the Hierarchical Sees of the Armenian Church and dioceses around the world will take part in the Holy Muron Blessing ceremony. Within the framework of the Holy Muron Blessing ceremony, a "Prayer of Peace" will be held in the Saint Gayane Monastery on September 30 with the participation of inter-church delegations, and on October 8, an episcopal ordination will take place.
Related to the work of organizing the festive ceremony of the blessing of the Holy Muron, a discussion was held about the improvement process of the surroundings of the Temple. It was recorded that before the blessing of Holy Muron, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will present itself to the pilgrim Armenians with proper beauty as a result of the efforts invested by the builders.
During the meeting, ideas were also exchanged regarding the lease transaction of the "Cow’s Garden" estate by the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The SSC emphasized that they will continue to pursue the amicable settlement of the issue and all possible efforts will be made in this regard.
During the meeting, church-administrative, disciplinary and other issues related to the effectiveness of the Church's mission were also discussed.
