Armenian Church Structures Respond to the Catholicos's Trial

In connection with the trial of His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II and six bishops, various structures of the Armenian Apostolic Church have issued statements expressing concern over the church's autonomy and the relationship between state and church.

The Central Administration of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Argentina and Chile condemned the trial, describing it as interference in the church's spiritual activities and a violation of principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The organization called on the Armenian government to refrain from anti-church actions and to resolve issues in a climate of mutual respect.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in turn, emphasized that the attitude of the Armenian authorities towards the Catholicos could also affect the positions of other episcopal seats and spiritual leaders of the Armenian Church. The Patriarchate urged the relevant authorities to respect the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Church guaranteed by the Constitution and to avoid actions that could deepen national divisions and harm the state-church relationship.

The Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan also reacted strongly to the trial, labeling August 7 as a "day of shame and betrayal." The diocese's statement portrayed the trial as pressure on the church and clergy. The diocese council and clergy also expressed their support for Catholicos Garegin II and the clergy involved in the trial.