Armenian bishops call for Church Council amid dispute over proposed reforms

The heads of three overseas dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church have called for a Council of Bishops to be convened no later than mid-2027, following a report by Armenian authorities on the “reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church”.

Bishops Armash Nalbandian of Damascus, Serovbe Isahanyan of Cologne, Germany, and Oshakan Gyulgyulan of Iraq said the election or possible removal of the Catholicos must be carried out exclusively by the competent bodies of the Church and in accordance with canonical procedures, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

“The state must be wary of crossing a dangerous line. The Armenian Apostolic Church is not part of the state’s administrative structure. The state must not exercise canonical authority or decide who should be the Catholicos of All Armenians,” the bishops said in a statement.

The hierarchs also called on the Armenian authorities to guarantee the unhindered entry into Armenia of bishops serving in dioceses abroad.

They further urged authorities to ensure that the bishops would be able to return to their countries of residence after participating in the Council of Bishops.

By Sabina Mammadli