According to the situation, tomorrow a meeting will be convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, during which a number of important issues will be discussed.

“Considering the numerous inquiries to the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin regarding the coronavirus and the preventive steps taken in this regard, we consider it necessary to report the following:

The Armenian Church is well aware of its responsibility to the homeland and the people. The Catholicos of All Armenians is following all developments regarding this issue both in the homeland and in our dioceses and communities abroad, and the relevant bodies are in constant contact with the Mother See.

The patriarchal admonition of the Catholicos of All Armenians is for us all to maintain peace, care and love for one another, to strengthen the spirit of unity in us to be able to overcome this in unity and through united efforts.

The 13 March convocation, chaired by the Catholicos of All Armenians, issued a statement calling on “to exercise utmost vigilance and responsibility, to comply with the requirements and instructions of the specialized agencies with consistency and seriousness, and to carry out all preventive measures.” The diocesan leaders have been given the necessary instructions by the pastors to take preventive measures in churches, particularly during Sunday sermons.

Today, during the Holy and Immortal Liturgy, our clergy have prayed to God for a healthy and safe life for our homeland, our people, and our citizens, urging those in attendance to take responsibility for instructions given by those in charge.

I would like to inform you that in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin a number of structures, including educational, social care institutions, museums of the Mother See have also been suspended.

Due to the situation, tomorrow a meeting will be convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, where a number of important issues will be discussed.

Until then, we urge our pious people to remain calm. We also urge dear mass media colleagues not to offend or to publicize the offensive expressions and inappropriate statements made by some people suffering from obscene obsession with the Armenian Church and pious Armenians,” the statement reads.