Session of the Armenian Church Constitution Committee in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On March 4-6, a three-day session of the Armenian Church Constitution Committee was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Chairman of the Committee, presided during the meetings.
Since January 2002, upon the Pontifical order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a new slate of committee members were appointed. They are: His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian, Pontifical Legate of Central Europe; His Grace Bishop Sevan Gharibian, from the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; His Grace Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan, Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese; His Grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of England; Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Mr. Setrag Davutkhan, from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Mr. Tariel Barseghian, judge from the Republic of Armenia; Mr. Rafayel Papayan and Mr. Azat Bozoyan, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
Over the course of the meetings, the new staff of the Constitution Committee continued the work began by their predecessors, and reviewed the formation, content and the process of the Constitution. Based on the proposals and suggestions received from the dioceses throughout the world, the Committee made the necessary changes. Upon completion of their work, the draft of the Constitution will be presented to His Holiness Karekin II, and afterwards, will be discussed in the Supreme Spiritual Council meetings.
The final step in the process is the ratification of the Armenian Church Constitution, which will be the responsibility of the National Ecclesiastical Assembly.
