The Mother See Issues a Statement

The Mother See has issued a statement, stating: “By the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia dated March 27, 2026, Arman Saroyan (formerly Bishop Gevorg) has been appointed as a member of the 'Consultative Commission on the Issues of Clemency' as a representative of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. This appointment, made without the consent of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is unacceptable and illegal, as well as a violation of the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

A representative of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church can only be appointed with the blessing and permission of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Moreover, the defrocked Bishop Gevorg is neither authorized nor able to represent the Church from any canonical, legal, or moral perspective. This move constitutes yet another encroachment on the autonomy of the Armenian Church and the canonical authority of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. It is essential that the aforementioned false information be removed from the official document—the decision of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.”