Global InformationGhukas Karnetsi information
Ghukas Karnetsi (Armenian: Ղուկաս Կարնեցի, lit. 'Luke of Karin/Erzurum'; 1722 – 28 December 1799) was Catholicos of All Armenians (head of the Armenian Church) in Etchmiadzin from 1780 to 1799. He succeeded his former teacher Simeon of Yerevan and continued many of his policies. He was catholicos during a time of economic hardship and conflict in Iranian Armenia and appealed to the Russian Empire to take Armenians under its protection. However, he was careful not to worsen the church's relations with Muslim rulers. He is also remembered for his construction activities, namely the renovation and decoration of Etchmiadzin Cathedral.