Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan, recently relieved of his duties as head of the Vayots Dzor Diocese, said he had submitted his request for retirement ten years ago, Factor.am reports.
“For the past 10 years, I have repeatedly expressed, both in writing and verbally, my desire to be called to retirement,” Archbishop Mkrtchyan said.
Earlier, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced that the head of the Vayots Dzor Diocese had been relieved of his position at his own request. However, questions arose as to why the petition addressed to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II was approved only now.
Director of the Information Center of the Mother See, Fr. Yesayi Artenyan, did not give a clear answer, noting that additional clarifications were needed.
For his part, Archbishop Mkrtchyan also declined to provide a detailed explanation when asked why his request was addressed ten years later.
“Now you are trying to conduct an interview; let’s leave it at that,” he said.
Archbishop Mkrtchyan also issued a statement regarding the end of his tenure, reaffirming his loyalty to the agenda proclaimed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“The purpose of this statement is to prevent unnecessary, incorrect interpretations, speculation and distortions. In recent years — long before the events related to the Armenian Church in 2025 — I had several times, both in writing and verbally, including during meetings at the Mother See, raised the issue of my wish to retire. I received the directive from the Mother See calling me to retirement on March 16, 2026 (letter 26/023). Since this decision was made based on my written and verbal requests, I have no reason to refuse it.
I believe it is clear to everyone that the Armenian Church needs structural, administrative and statutory reforms so that it does not again face such shocks and crises. Therefore, if necessary, I am ready to continue being as useful as possible to the reform of the Armenian Church initiated by the Prime Minister of Armenia, particularly in preparing the church’s new statute,” the statement said.
It was also noted that the statement is dated March 17, 2026, although it was published on March 16. The cleric said this was likely a typographical error.
On March 16, by a patriarchal decree of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan was relieved of his duties as head of the Vayots Dzor Diocese based on his written and verbal requests, according to the information service of the Mother See.
