His Beatitude Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his solidarity with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
He stated: “With deep sorrow and concern, we follow the past months’ very distressing and painful incidents involving the diocesan heads of the Armenian Apostolic Church, high‑ranking clergy, and particularly with regard to the events around Hovhannavank. The actions carried out by a suspended cleric, openly supported by state power, are not only unlawful and contrary to ecclesiastical canon, but also damage the credit and authority of the Armenian Apostolic Church, wound the spiritual feelings of the Armenian people, and endanger our centuries‑old identity and faith.
The intervention of state officials in the internal life of the Church is unacceptable, especially the support of defrocked persons in trying to usurp Hovhannavank and to hold invalid “divine services”, thereby disturbing the legitimate ceremonies.
We strongly condemn these unlawful and disgraceful steps and call upon the state authorities to cease all forms of interference in the internal affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to restore justice and legality, and to ensure peaceful and secure activity for the ordained servants of the Church.
We convey our sincere solidarity to His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II and to the clergy.”
