On September 30, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness  s Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, convened a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

The official website of the Armenian Apostolic Church informs.

Prior to the discussion of the issues on the agenda, a prayer was led by His Holiness for the peace of the souls of the Armenians who died for the protection of the homeland’s borders.

The meeting referred to the steps to be taken by the Mother See and the dioceses in support of the people of Artsakh and the Armenian army in the situation around the Artsakh Republic.

His Holiness informed the participants of the Assembly that he is in constant contact with  the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, Fr. Pargev Archbishop Martirosyan and the spiritual leader of the RA Armed Forces Vrtanes Bishop Abrahamyan.

It was informed that in connection with the hostilities unleashed by Azerbaijan, the Patriarch of All Armenians sent messages to the heads of state, the leaders of the sister Churches, the religious leaders and the heads of various inter-church organizations. In the protection of the rights of the people of Artsakh, the members of the SSC also highlighted the work of the dioceses with the Sister Churches, inter-church and inter-religious organizations.

The issue of the service of the regimental clerics, and those clergymen who are joining their ranks these days, leaving the dioceses for Artsakh, became the subject of a separate discussion. In this connection, it was informed that several monks of the Mother See, clergymen serving in the dioceses, are already in Artsakh as volunteers.

During the meeting, instructions were given on pastoral care for the wounded soldiers and the families of the victims; the cooperation of the dioceses with the relevant structures of the RA Ministry of Defense was strengthened.

In support of Artsakh, the Supreme Council decided to transfer half a million USD from the funds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.