Holy Etchmiadzin condemns ‘Divine Liturgy’ holding led by Armenia PM in various churches

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strictly condemns the organizing of “Divine Liturgy” in various Armenian Apostolic Church diocesan churches under the leadership of the prime minister, by the authorities with law enforcement intervention, grossly violating ecclesiastical rules and regulations as well as the constitution and laws of Armenia, injuring the spiritual feelings of the faithful and sowing division. The Mother See noted in a statement it released Monday

The statement adds that the participation of any bishop in these “Divine Liturgies” bypassing the spiritual authority of the diocesan leader and ignoring ecclesiastical rules and regulations is a serious canonical violation, and this took place Sunday at Gyumri’s diocesan Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God (Our Lady of Seven Wounds) of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“Still refraining from the use of strict measures, the Mother See urges the rule-breaking bishops to stop their misguided course and public speeches with false and fabricated content, to return to the canonical field following the traditions of our Holy Church handed down through the centuries, to act exclusively in the spiritual realm, and with high awareness of maintaining legality and unity,” the statement concludes.