PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: ktrij@etchmiadzin.am
April 2, 2004

COMMUNIQUE FROM THE SUPREME SPIRITUAL COUNCIL

With deep concern, the Supreme Spiritual Council received the news from the
Diocesan Council of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church, that the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia has brought to its painful
conclusion, the process of the establishment of a parallel administrative
structure within the region of the Canadian Armenian Diocese, canonically
comprised as part of the Pontificate of All Armenians, in spite of the
fraternal exhortations made by the Catholicos of All Armenians and the
Supreme Spiritual Council.

This move has neither justifiable explanation nor foundation whatsoever,
from ecclesiological or hierarchical perspectives, or within the context of
the unspoiled preservation of the spiritual unanimity of the Armenian
people. The issue is more than the establishment of one more un-canonical
diocese. It is the confirmation that the Catholicosate of the Great House
of Cilicia, is not ready to reconsider its divisive spirit adopted in 1956,
and in accord with the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, to reestablish the
canonical status within the Armenian Church. In spite of its assurances of
being dedicated to the motto “One Nation, One Homeland, and One Church”, the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, with “new reorganizations” is
attempting to persistently expand and to solidify the dioceses it seized
with political motivations, from the Catholicosate of All Armenians during
the years of the cold war, deepening the division within the Armenian
Church, and jeopardizing the improved relations which began in 1988 with the
Mother See.

The Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia does not desire to see the
changed circumstances prevailing in this present world or the imperatives
conditioned by the reality of the independence of the Homeland, nor does it
value the spirit of the new era, which proposes the demand to reestablish
and keep unspoiled the unity of the Armenian Church and Nation.

Any attempt to breach the unanimity and unity of our people dispersed
throughout the world, which is the supreme and timeless goal of the Armenian
Church, will face the firm resolve of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to
keep that unity unspoiled and unshaken.

Holy Etchmiadzin appeals to all faithful children of Canada and all seized
dioceses of the Mother See, stating that her paternal love towards all is
unchangeable, because regardless of under what guise and despite references
to “the will of the people”, (a transparent old device used to attempt to
justify such measures), undoubtedly no nation has the desire to be in
dissention.

The Mother See once again fraternally calls on the Catholicosate of Cilicia
to sound judgment, welcoming every step directed to overcoming the discord
and the reestablishment of the canonical status within the Armenian Church,
and invites her children to be zealous and unified on the road of the
settlement of disunity – a rift born from the dictates of difficult times,
and in effect for half a century. “Primacy of Love” – here is the mystery
of the supremacy of the Mother See, as it was yesterday, as it is today, and
forever.

(signed)
Supreme Spiritual Council
Catholicosate of All Armenians

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