The Primates of the North American Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America issued a statement following the most recent Armenian government crackdown on the church.
Below is the text of the statement.
We, the Primates of the Armenian Church in North America — Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Eastern Diocese, and Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan of the Canadian Diocese — express our profound concern regarding the recent arrests of clergy in Armenia, including Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, along with several priests and staff members of the diocesan administration.
The clergy who have been detained are known for their devotion, humility, and service to their people and the Gospel. Such treatment threatens the moral and spiritual fabric of our nation and undermines the sacred role of the Church in Armenian life.
We call upon the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to ensure justice, transparency, and due process, and to respect the historic independence and sacred mission of the Armenian Church.
At this difficult moment, we stand united with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, with our clergy, and with all faithful in Armenia and throughout the diaspora. We urge our communities to join in prayer for wisdom, peace, and the restoration of trust and harmony in our homeland.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan
Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada
