Armenian Churches’ Appeal to Christians Around the World
The united representatives of all Armenian churches worldwide have issued an urgent appeal to Christians around the world, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan.
The call for the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians reflects a deep commitment to Christian values and human dignity, underscoring the urgent need for peace and reconciliation. It highlights the importance of ending violence and inhumane treatment, promoting respect for the inherent dignity of all people, regardless of nationality. The path to lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan can only be realized when humanitarian concerns — such as the return of all prisoners of war and other detained civilians — are addressed.
Below is their letter, signed by one hundred clergy members:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We, the united representatives of all Armenian Churches around the world stand together in the most urgent and heartfelt plea for the immediate and unconditional release of all Armenian prisoners of war and detained civilians currently held in Azerbaijan.
This is not just a call for the release of innocent lives; it is a cry for justice, dignity, and the restoration of humanity. These individuals, taken in the course of conflict, have been subjected to unimaginable suffering, and their continued detention is a violation of every principle of human decency and Christian compassion. In the name of our shared faith, we can no longer remain silent. The time for action is now.
The inhumane treatment of these prisoners goes against the very essence of our faith. The violence, the suffering, the torment they endure must end. The world cannot stand by while innocent people are held captive, deprived of their dignity and their basic human rights. The gravity of this situation is of the utmost importance, as the health of Ruben Vardanyan, former Artsakh State Minister, is rapidly deteriorating. Ruben is currently on an ongoing hunger strike in protest of the theatrical “court” proceedings by Azerbaijani authorities. Every single day increasingly critical and accountable.
We cannot and will not accept a future where such inhumanity is allowed to persist. All peoples of the region—whether Armenian, Azerbaijani, or any other deserve peace. Peace built on the foundation of justice. Peace where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, where the chains of suffering are broken, and where every soul is allowed to live in freedom.
We, the Armenian Churches across the world, demand the immediate return of all prisoners of war and detained civilians to their families. This is not merely a humanitarian necessity – it is a moral imperative. The release of Armenian prisoners can be the beginning of a new chapter, one where healing replaces hatred, where understanding overcomes division, and where peace is not just a dream, but a reality.
We urge governments, international organizations and all people of good will to condemn this show trial as political and illegitimate, and to pressure the authorities involved to return these innocent lives to their rightful homes. Do not turn away from the suffering of others. Stand with us. Stand for justice. Stand for peace.
May the light of truth, compassion, and justice guide all of us toward a world where no one is left in chains, where every human life is valued, and where peace is more than just a word – it is a living, breathing reality for all.
In unwavering solidarity and faith,
| The list is arranged in alphabetical order | ||||
| 1 | Rev. Father | Sargis | Abrahamian | Member of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 2 | Rev. Father | Samuel | Ajamian | Pastor, All Saints’ Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, IL |
| 3 | Archpriest Fr. | Sarkis | Aktavoukian | Pastor, Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church, Bethesda, MD |
| 4 | Proto-Archimandrite | Gusan | Alchanyan | Locum Tenens, St. Jacob Church, Geneva, Switzerland |
| 5 | Archbishop | Nareg | Alemezian | Dr. Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia) Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia (Antelias, Lebanon) |
| 6 | Very Rev. Fr. | Ardag | Arabian | Pastor, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, MA |
| 7 | V. Rev. Father | Dajad | Ashekian | Chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia |
| 8 | Pastor | Keri | Ashekian | Visiting Clergy, St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church, Windsor, Ontario |
| 9 | Bishop | Kévork | Assadourian | Patriarchal Exarch of Damascus of the Armenians (Syria) |
| 10 | Reverent fr. | Vrtanes | Babakhanian | St. Targmanchats Church, Tehran |
| 11 | Bishop | Koryun | Baghdasaryan | Director of the Real Estate Department of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem |
| 12 | Very Rev. Fr. | Vache | Balekjian | Pastor, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Ridgefield, NJ |
| 13 | Rev. Father | Stephan | Baljian | Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, MA |
| 14 | V. Rev. Father | Hovagim | Banjarjian | Director of the Information Department of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 15 | Archbishop | Khajag | Barsamian | Pontifical Legate of Western Europe and Representative of the Armenian Church to the Holy See |
| 16 | Bishop | Nareg | Berberian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil |
| 17 | Father | Samvel | Mkhitarian | Abbot of Hagartsin Monastery, Chairman of the Administrative Council of Tavush Diocese |
| 18 | Rev. Father | Oshin | Chualertanian | Grand Sacristan of the Mother Cathedral of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 19 | Rev. Father. | Mikael | Der Kosrofian | Pastor, St. Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church, Whitinsville, MA |
| 20 | Archbishop | Hovnan | Derderian | Primate of the Western Diocese of the US |
| 21 | Abbot | Azat | Filikian | Supervisor of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia’s Seminary |
| 22 | Rev. Father | Sipan | Grigoryan | Director of General Department Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia |
| 23 | Archimandrite | Oshagan | Gulgulian | Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq |
| 24 | Rev. Father | Hagop | Gyadayan | Pastor, St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church, Laval des Rapides, Quebec |
| 25 | Bishop | Datev | Hagopian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Romania and Bulgaria |
| 26 | Rev. Father | Khatchatour | Haroutounian | St. Targmanchats Church, Tehran |
| 27 | Bishop | Abgar | Hovakimyan | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada |
| 28 | Subdeacon | Edvis | Hovnanian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 29 | Rev. Father | Karnik | Hovsepian | Qamishly Syria; St. Joseph Armenian Catholic Church |
| 30 | Bishop | Serovpe | Isakhanyan | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany |
| 31 | Father | Serop | Jamourlian | Mekhitsarist monk |
| 32 | Abbot | Arakel | Kadehjian | Member of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 33 | V. Rev. Father | Kevork | Karageozian | Supervisor of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 34 | Rev. Father | Artak A. | Keheayan | Spiritual Pastor of St. Vartanants Church, Kuwait |
| 35 | Rev. Father | Garo | Kelendjian | Armenian Catholic Church of Zmmar, Lebanon |
| 36 | Rev. Father | Hagob | Keshishian | St. Mariam Church, Tehran |
| 37 | Father | Hamazasp | Keshishian | Monk of the Mekhitarist Congregation and Rector of the Mekhitarist Seminary |
| 38 | Rev.Father | Hrant | Kevorkian | Pastor, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Dearborn, MI |
| 39 | Rev. Father | Mashtots | Khachatourian | St. Vartanants Church, Tehran |
| 40 | Subdeaconess | Lioda | Khosrovian | St. Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran |
| 41 | Rev. Father | Sahak | Khosrovian | St. Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran |
| 42 | Rev. Father | Sarkis | Khosrovian | St. Targmanchats Church, Tehran |
| 43 | V. Rev. Father | Elias | Kiredjian | Saint Gregory the Illuminator, Toronto |
| 44 | Right Rev. Father | Keghart | Kosbakian | Spiritual Dean, St. Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church, Cambridge, Ontario |
| 45 | Rev. Father | Vahan | Kouyoumdjian | Visiting Pastor, Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, NY |
| 46 | Reverend Father | Antranig | Kyurumian | Director of the Birds’ Nest Orphanage; the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 47 | Rev. Father | Mesrob | Lakissian | Pastor, St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, New York, NY |
| 48 | Rev. Father | Nareg | Louissian | Armenian Catholic Church of Zmmar, Lebanon |
| 49 | Rev. Father | Taniel | Manjikian | Pastor, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, Granite City, IL |
| 50 | Bishop | Petros | Manouelian | Pontifical Vicar of the Armenian Diocese of Kuwait and the Surrounding Region |
| 51 | Rev. Father | Nshan | Manougian | Pastor, St. Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church, Cambridge, Ontario |
| 52 | Bishop | Hovakim | Manukyan | Primate of Great Britain and Ireland |
| 53 | Deaconess | A.Christy | Manvelian | St. Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran |
| 54 | Subdeaconess | Anage | Margarian | St. Targmanchats Church, Tehran |
| 55 | Archpriest | Datev | Mikaelian | Pastor, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Willowdale, Ontario |
| 56 | Archbishop | Vazgen | Mirzakhanyan, | Director of the Department of Ecclesiastical Conceptual Issues of the Mother See |
| 57 | Bishop | Ashot | Mnatsakanian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Egypt |
| 58 | Bishop | Mikael | Mouradian | Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the US and Canada |
| 59 | Subdeacon | Armond | Movsesian | St. Targmanchats Church, Tehran |
| 60 | Patriarchal Exarch | Nareg | Naamoyan | Jerusalem and Amman of the Armenians (Jordan) and Priest of Kameshli of the Armenians (Syria) |
| 61 | V. Rev. Father | Zaven | Najarian | Director of the “Khoren Ayp Center” of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 62 | Bishop | Armash | Nalbandian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus |
| 63 | Bishop | Vartan | Navasardyan | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States and Sweden |
| 64 | Rev.Father | Kapriel | Nazarian | Pastor, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence, RI |
| 65 | Rev. Father | Gourgen | Nersessian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 66 | Rev. Father. | Grigoris | Nersessian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 67 | Father | Vahan | Ohanyan | Mekhitsarist monk |
| 68 | Archbishop | Shahe | Panosian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon |
| 69 | Dr. | Michael | Papazian | Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Berry College, Georgia, USA |
| 70 | V. Rev. Father | Stepanos | Pashayan | Director of the Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 71 | Subdeaconess | Lala | Petrosian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 72 | Bishop | Tiran | Petrosyan | Pontifical Legate of Central Europe and Sweden |
| 73 | Rev. Father | Dikran | Philibbos | Armenian Catholic Church of Zmmar, Lebanon |
| 74 | Rev. Father. | Mesrob | Ratevosian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 75 | Archpriest Fr. | Zareh | Sahakian | Visiting Pastor, St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church, Racine, WI |
| 76 | Subdeacon fr. | Toni | Salatinian | St. Vartanants Church, Tehran |
| 77 | Archbishop | Sebouh | Sarkissian | Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Tehran |
| 78 | Archbishop | Shahan | Sarkissian | Director of the Cilicia Library and the Ancient Manuscript Department at the Catholicosate |
| 79 | Father | Kevork | Sarkisyan | Mekhitsarist monk |
| 80 | Rev. Father | Yezekel | Selumian | Monk of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 81 | Deacon | Artin | Shahbazian | St. Grigor Lousavorich Church, Tehran |
| 82 | Bishop | Aren | Shahinian | Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral |
| 83 | Rev. Father | Aristages | Shahmirian | St. Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran |
| 84 | Rev. Father | Sahak | Shakaryan | Tatev Monastery, Armenia |
| 85 | Rev. Father | Ardavazt | Sharoyan | Curator of the Cilicia Museum of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 86 | Right Rev. Father | Karekin | Shekherdemian | Spiritual Dean, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Willowdale, Ontario |
| 87 | V. Rev. Fr. | Barouyr | Shernezian | Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great See of Cilicia |
| 88 | Archpriest Fr. | Bedros | Shetilian | Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, Indian Orchard, MA |
| 89 | Rev.Father | Shavarsh | Simonyan | Tavush Diocese, Dilijan, Armenia |
| 90 | Archpriest Fr. | Aram | Stepanian | Pastor Emeritus, St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, New Britain, CT |
| 91 | Archpriest Fr. | Daron | Stepanian | Pastor, St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church, Waukegan, IL, Visiting Pastor, St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church, Niagara Falls, NY |
| 92 | V. Rev. Father | Hrant | Tahanian | Pastor, St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Watertown, MA |
| 93 | Archbishop | Anoushavan | Tanielian | Prelate of Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America |
| 94 | Archbishop | Papken | Tcharian | St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church, Laval des Rapides, Quebec |
| 95 | V. Rev. Father | Avedik | Ter Karapetian | Supervisor of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia |
| 96 | Archpriest Fr. | Nareg | Terterian | Pastor, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Douglaston, NY |
| 97 | V. Rev. Fr. | Boghos | Tinkjian | Pastor, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, Philadelphia, PA |
| 98 | Pastor | Sebouh | Tokadjian | Visiting Clergy, St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church, Ontario L2S 2X9 |
| 99 | V. Rev. Father | Machtoz | Zahterian | Patriarchal Assistant for the Armenian Catholic Parish in Budapest, Hungary |
| 100 | Bishop | Theodoros | Zakaryan | Chairman of the Executive Council of the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem |
