In a landmark decision honoring one of Armenia’s greatest cultural and spiritual figures, the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church has initiated formal steps toward the canonization of Komitas Vardapet, the legendary priest, composer, and survivor of the Armenian Genocide. The announcement came at the conclusion of the Council’s four-day session (November 4–7) at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, where Church leaders also addressed issues ranging from justice and human rights to the protection of Armenian heritage and national identity.
Komitas: From Cultural Icon To Saintly Recognition
Komitas Vardapet (1869–1935), the visionary priest, composer, and musicologist who dedicated his life to preserving Armenian sacred and folk music, is now under consideration for sainthood.
The proposed canonization would formally recognize Komitas’s spiritual devotion, cultural genius, and enduring legacy as a symbol of Armenian resilience and faith, especially as a survivor and witness of the Armenian Genocide.
“Komitas is not only a musical genius but a spiritual martyr whose life and suffering reflect the soul of our nation,” Church representatives noted, emphasizing that his canonization would unite Armenians around a shared symbol of spiritual endurance and cultural rebirth.
The Council also decided to establish a separate committee to organize spiritual and cultural events marking the 1700th anniversary of the death of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian Church and first Catholicos of All Armenians.
Beyond the historic step toward Komitas’s canonization, the Supreme Spiritual Council’s four-day session, held from November 4–7 under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, also addressed a series of legal, cultural, and national concerns. The meetings opened with prayers in memory of Archbishop Gisak Muradyan, followed by discussions on issues ranging from justice and human rights to the preservation of Armenia’s spiritual heritage and historical memory.
During the session, legal expert Ara Ghazaryan presented findings on the ongoing trials of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Baku, describing them as a “mockery of justice” and a violation of international humanitarian law. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of Armenian captives through cooperation with sister churches, the European Court of Human Rights, and the United Nations, calling their plight a continuing moral and humanitarian priority.
Council member Dr. Gevorg Danielyan outlined evidence of Azerbaijan’s state-directed campaign to erase and appropriate Armenian religious and cultural heritage in Artsakh. The Church condemned these actions as part of a wider effort to falsify history and eliminate Armenian identity from the region, urging international partners to help safeguard Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural legacy.
Historian Dr. Mikael Malkhasyan briefed the Council on distortions appearing in Armenian history textbooks and education programs, warning that misrepresentations of national and ecclesiastical figures endanger the continuity of Armenian identity. The Church expressed deep concern over such trends and underscored its mission to preserve the nation’s spiritual values, historical truth, and cultural continuity.
The Council also reviewed domestic matters, reiterating its condemnation of what it described as unjust and politically motivated prosecutions against clergy and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan. It urged authorities to uphold justice and respect the Church’s independence. Additionally, it called for the restoration of the Mother See’s rights over the historic Hovhannavank Monastery to ensure the protection of its liturgical life and the faithful’s right to worship.
The session concluded with the blessing and closing remarks of His Holiness Karekin II, who thanked Council members for their service and reaffirmed the Church’s enduring commitment to justice, human dignity, and the unity of the Armenian people both in Armenia and across the diaspora.
