Father Asoghik Karapetyan said that the Catholicos of All Armenians’ “paternal appeal to the prime minister is once again being exploited and presented as a political demand, providing grounds for unfounded accusations against the Armenian Apostolic Church.”

“The Supreme Patriarch’s paternal appeal to the prime minister arose from concern over the grave consequences of the war, the security of the homeland, and the unity and solidarity of the people. Its purpose was to prevent social upheaval, possible confrontations, and tragic consequences.

“Later, on another occasion, responding to a journalist’s question, the Armenian Pontiff reaffirmed that the paternal appeal is not limited in time.

“His Holiness also explained that its continuing relevance is linked to the problems that prompted the appeal, which have yet to be overcome.

“Everyone has experienced this: a parent’s well-intentioned advice accompanies a child throughout life, helping them avoid mistakes and act with prudence and responsibility. In this sense, paternal advice ‘is not limited in time.’ It expresses continuing care and the need to resolve existing problems.

“Therefore, dear friends, the paternal appeal must be understood exclusively in the context of the Catholicos’s constant pastoral care and spiritual and moral responsibility. Peace and love to all,” he wrote.

A report titled “On the Crisis in the Church Resulting from the Activities of the De Facto Head of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and Several Senior Clergymen, and Ways to Resolve It” has been published. The report states that its preparation stems from the Armenian government’s 2026–2031 program and that it was commissioned on the instructions of the Armenian prime minister. It was prepared by the state non-commercial organization Public Relations and Information Center.

The proposed first step is to establish a Reform Coordination Group involving clergy and laypeople and publish a procedure for expanding its membership. The second proposed step is the “removal of the de facto head” of the Armenian Apostolic Church.