The Legal Advisory Committee of the Mother See discussed the works carried out by the Church in the conditions of the blockade of Artsakh and the upcoming tasks
20.01.2023
On January 19, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the meeting of the legal advisory committee of the Mother See was held. At the meeting, the steps taken by the Church in the conditions of the blockade of Artsakh, in particular, the use of the necessary legal instruments, as well as issues related to future actions, were discussed.
His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, made a report, noting that since December 12, as a result of the blocking of the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia, Berdzor (Lachin), Artsakh Armenians continue to be in a catastrophic humanitarian situation. The rights of Armenians of Artsakh to move, receive food and medical assistance and other vital rights are violated with false environmental reasons.
The works carried out by His Holiness and the Mother See in such a crisis situation were presented, in particular a reference was made to the fact that on December 14, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; addressed to the heads of the Sister Churches and international organizations in a series of letters regarding the mentioned issue, to bring their support to the Artsakh Armenians. His Holiness recorded that Artsakh, remaining under siege, is facing a complete humanitarian disaster. In response to His Holiness' urge, responses were received from the Head of the Russian Church, the Roman Pontiff, the World Council of Churches, the European Council of Churches and the UN Secretaries-General.
At the same time, the Catholicos of All Armenians held a number of meetings with representatives of various state, political, international and diplomatic structures regarding the blocking of Artsakh.
His Holiness also sent a letter to the Primates of all dioceses of Armenia and the Diaspora, requesting that the problem of the catastrophic situation created in Artsakh be raised and presented to state, international, diplomatic and humanitarian structures and organizations by coordinating the efforts of diocesan, community, and national structures.
At the conclusion of the report, an exchange of ideas took place, proposals were presented, which will be implemented in the near future. The importance of providing the Artsakh Armenians with food and essentials was particularly emphasized.
At the conclusion, His Holiness, summarizing the results of the consultation, sent appropriate instructions to the heads of structures belonging to the Mother See, noting that the Armenian Church will continue to make all possible efforts to overcome the humanitarian crisis and protect the right of Artsakh Armenians to live freely and independently in their native land.
