On the eve of Orthodox Christmas, the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Paszynian published a message announcing the improvement of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in which he again called for the resignation of Catholicos Karekin. The Church replied that reforms should not be entrusted to the self-appointed council.
Paszynian read the message at his residence, where he received 10 high-ranking hierarchs who called for the Catholics to step down. A video recording of Paszynian's appearance along with his accompanying singing was published on Sunday evening on his authoritative social media accounts.
The paper announces the launch of reforms in the Armenian Church and presents a road map for their implementation, including the removal of Karekinï II from power, as well as the creation of a “Coordination Council” composed of signatories to the document. This council is to be entrusted with organisational functions related to the reform.
The reforms are motivated by concerns about Karekin's "inability" II and its immediate surroundings to "live according to the principles of the Gospel and to proclaim them", to violate the principles of spiritual life and to tolerate gross manifestations of moral decline.
The message besides condemns the unacceptable and "uncannonic practice of involving the Church in politics and utilizing it to accomplish various objectives and interests".
In addition, on 7 January, on Christmas Day in Armenia, Nikol Paszynian headed the march against Catholic Karekin II,during which he stated that Catholicos and their immediate surroundings were utilizing “ sectarian logic”. Hundreds attended the march and rally. There have been unconfirmed reports in the media that administrative measures have been utilized to mobilise more participants.
Tensions in relations between the government and the Church reached the apogee at the end of May 2025, erstwhile Paszynian accused Catholics of Karekin-II and another advanced clergymen of violating celibacy, which, according to him, deprived them of their right to execute public functions.
However, the most serious allegation remains Paszynian's claim that Karekin II and his brother, Archbishop of the New-Nachavian Empire and Russia Ezras, keep contact with abroad peculiar services. By January this year, on various charges 4 advanced clergymen were detained.
In his answer published on Monday afternoon, the Church stated that the initiative of Paszynian "infringed" the constitution of Armenia, as well as the law of the Church recognised both internationally and in Armenia.
“The participation of bishops in specified anti-ecclesiastical trials, as well as the force on the clergy, deserves condemnation,” says the statement.
The Church noted that 10 clergymen “still avoid meetings and discussions on matters that disturb them”, with Karekin II and the ultimate spiritual Council, even though they received invitations to specified talks.
"It should be stressed that canonical issues and the improvement of the Church have not been entrusted to the self-proclaimed assembly, but to the Patriarchate of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church through its ultimate governing bodies," stressed the statement.
Source: oc-media.org
Study Bulletin: BIS
