Armenian Churches Worldwide Issue Urgent Appeal, Calling on Christians Around the World to Demand the Immediate Release of All Armenian Prisoners Held in Azerbaijan

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,

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 — 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. Rev. Father 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 — St. Joseph Armenian Catholic Church, Qamishly, Syria
30. Bishop Serovpe Isakhanyan — Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany
31. Father Serop Jamourlian — Mekhitarist 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. ev. 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, 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[i]
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