Supreme Spiritual Council Session in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On August 5, a special (condensed) session of the Supreme Spiritual Council was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the meeting.
In the course of the session, a number of issues related to the internal life of the Church were discussed. His Holiness informed the members of the current situation with the Baron Der property of the Armenian Patriachate of Jerusalem. His Holiness noted that he has sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon urging that a solution to the dispute be found that is acceptable to the Patriarchate. Additionally, letters have been sent from nearly all of the Diocesan Primates, as well as ecumenical and religious organizations from throughout the world, appealing to the Israeli authorities to resolve this matter justly.
Also discussed was the Constitution of the Armenian Church, which is in progress. Specifically discussed was the formation of a new committee whose task it is to study and reconcile clauses in the constitution and their relationship with the traditional canons, laws and rituals of the Armenian Church throughout history.
His Holiness further informed the Supreme Spiritual Council members that Rev. Fr. Khoren Hovhannissyan has formally requested to resign from his Holy Orders and leave the priesthood. As such, and upon the Pontifical Order of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Fr. Khoren is considered to be defrocked. The members of the Supreme Spiritual Council also discussed upcoming events in the life of the Mother See, including upcoming visits from various church hierarchs and international ecumenical organizations, the upcoming consecration of the new St. Hagop (James) Church in Gyumri, as well as the opening of the new Sevan Vazkenian Seminary Dormitories. ##
