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JAMnews
24-07-2025
- Politics
- JAMnews
Pashinyan's plan to remove Catholicos
Pashinyan's plan to remove Catholicos Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared his plan to remove Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II from the throne, publishing the proposal on social media. He suggests appointing a locum tenens – an acting head of the Church – adopting a new ecclesiastical charter, and holding elections for a new patriarch. Pashinyan has long argued that the country needs a new spiritual leader. He justifies this by claiming that Garegin II broke his vow of celibacy and has a child. At the same time, the prime minister insists that his actions are not aimed against the Church. According to him, they stem from the need for the 'renewal of the Church, the state and society'. He stresses that he is pursuing this agenda first and foremost as a believer and a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church – and only then as prime minister. 'Our goal cannot be to replace Ktrich Nersisyan [the Catholicos's secular name] with another clergyman who has violated the vow of celibacy. That would be political fraud, not a spiritual renewal agenda,' he wrote. Political analyst Robert Ghevondyan notes that the standoff between the ruling authorities and the Church leadership is not dying down – on the contrary, tensions are rising. The demand to remove the Catholicos has moved beyond a personal dispute and has become 'the epicentre of a political conflict.' Gevondyan shared his views on how events might unfold and what kind of outcome can be expected. Pashinyan proposes appointing a 'married, upstanding priest' as acting Catholicos According to the prime minister, a locum tenens (acting head of the Church) should not be eligible to stand for the position of Catholicos. In addition, before the election of a new patriarch, the Church's charter must be updated. He emphasises that the revised version should be written in modern Armenian so that every citizen can understand the legal code: 'After the charter is approved, the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians must take place. And during the election, the moral integrity of all candidates must be verified.' Pashinyan did not specify how candidates' moral integrity would be assessed. He only noted that both the vetting process and the election procedures should be set out clearly in the new charter: 'And it must be adopted by the National Ecclesiastical Council or an equivalent body.' The National Ecclesiastical Council is the Church's highest governing body. It is convened by the Catholicos of All Armenians. The National Ecclesiastical Council is the Church's highest governing body. It is convened by the Catholicos of all Armenians. 'The renewal agenda does not imply theocracy in any way' Prime Minister Pashinyan confirmed that he will personally lead the movement titled 'Sanctuary for the Holiest!'. He reminded the public that he had previously outlined the criteria a leader of the movement must meet and assured that he himself fulfils them, stating that he is 'baptised, prays daily, believes in Jesus, and has read the Bible from beginning to end.' 'The renewal agenda does not in any way imply a theocracy. It will not and cannot restrict the rights or freedoms of any citizen. But through it, society must send a clear message that it has the right to demand full accountability from its state, church, and political leaders — both in their personal and public lives. Anyone uncertain about this should not aspire to spiritual or political leadership,' the prime minister declared. When the appointment of a locum tenens is permitted According to the current Church charter, a married priest cannot be appointed as locum tenens (acting Catholicos). Furthermore, the charter only allows such an appointment under two circumstances: if the Catholicos voluntarily abdicates, or in the event of the Catholicos's death. Notably, the clergy had already expressed their support for the Catholicos before Pashinyan made his plan public. 'We express our filial support to Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II in these troubled times, so that, as a kind and courageous shepherd, with God-given wisdom, composure, and a vigilant spirit, he may continue to lead the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and all our faithful people towards peaceful and secure havens,' the statement reads. 'Great spiritual gathering in Etchmiadzin': date and time unknown A few days ago, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on citizens to prepare for a 'great spiritual gathering on the central square of Etchmiadzin.' While the location of the event is known, no official date has been announced. There is speculation that it may be planned for Sunday, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ. Former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has urged Pashinyan to cancel the event, warning that the prime minister will bear 'responsibility for any potential clashes or bloodshed.' The clergy, in turn, have appealed to the country's competent authorities to 'halt Pashinyan's announced encroachment on the Church,' and called on citizens 'not to fall for the authorities' provocations': 'Holy Etchmiadzin condemns this attempt to provoke violence and assault. It is a blatant interference in the life and self-governance of the Armenian Church. We call on the ruling political force to end its anti-Church, unlawful campaign and to focus instead on overcoming the serious challenges facing the country,' the statement reads. Commentary by political analyst Robert Ghevondyan 'It is evident that both sides have passed the point where a mutually acceptable solution could be reached by fully maintaining their positions. Victory for one will now mean defeat for the other. The Armenian authorities hold the stronger position, as they are legitimate and possess the legal instruments of force. Therefore, the removal of the Catholicos and new elections within the Church appear more likely than the removal of the prime minister ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections. However, scenarios for removing the Catholicos vary, and each could lead to more or less problematic consequences. The history of the Armenian Apostolic Church contains precedents for the removal of a sitting Catholicos. For example, Catholicos Vahan I Syuni, ordained in 968, was deposed just one year later in 969 and replaced by Catholicos Stepanos III of Sevan. A few decades later, Catholicos Sargis I of Sevan, ordained in 992, voluntarily abdicated in 1019 and himself ordained his successor, Catholicos Petros I Getadardz. In 1418, Catholicos Grigor VIII Khndzoghat, who held the throne in Sis, was deposed and replaced by Catholicos Poghos II of Garni. Catholicos Grigor IX Musabekyants, ordained in Sis in 1439, refused to travel to Vagharshapat to assume the throne, leading to the ordination of Catholicos Kirakos I of Virap, who was later deposed in 1443 and succeeded by Grigor X Jalalbegyants. As we can see, there have been cases in the Armenian Apostolic Church when a new Catholicos was ordained while the previous one was still alive. Given this, one way to resolve the current tensions could be the voluntary abdication of the Catholicos or his removal by the clergy. It could be argued that this would be the most constructive outcome. However, for such a development to take place, the Church leadership — including Garegin II — must recognise the fundamental importance of Armenia's statehood. The worst-case scenario would be the use of force by the authorities if sufficient grounds emerge to suspect the Catholicos of illegal activity. In such a case, the societal split could lead to unpredictable consequences. Another possible scenario is a public expression of discontent with Garegin II's leadership by the faithful. This could take the form of a large protest in Etchmiadzin. However, such a demonstration may prove ineffective in resolving the issue, as the clergy might simply ignore the demands of the crowd. Furthermore, as tensions escalate, some opposition figures — seeking to benefit politically — may attempt to rally citizens with opposing views and organise counter-protests.' 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Observer
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Police, clergy scuffle in Armenia as standoff escalates
YEREVAN: A scuffle broke out in Armenia on Friday between clergymen and police, part of an escalating standoff between the influential Church and the Caucasian nation's authorities. The Two sides have been at loggerheads since Catholicos Garegin II — the church's spiritual leader — began calling for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign over Armenia's military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2020. The loss of the disputed Karabakh region to Azerbaijan in 2023, Armenia's arch-foe, has divided the country and escalated the dispute. On Wednesday, the Armenian authorities said they had foiled a coup plot involving a senior cleric who had rallied opposition to Pashinyan and more than a dozen other suspects. The latest confrontation erupted after police arrived at the residence of the head of the Apostolic Church to arrest another senior figure, archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan. He is accused of publicly calling for the government to be overthrown. Masked police attempted to enter the residence of Garegin II to arrest Adjapahyan. Prosecutors had earlier charged him with "public calls aimed at seizing power... and violently overthrowing the constitutional order". Following the scuffle between priests and law enforcement officers, Adjapahyan said he would surrender to police but denied any wrongdoing. "This is a blatant act of lawlessness against me," he said. "I have never been a threat to our country. The real threat sits in government. I won't hide. I'll go with them." But locals and priests closed the gates of the residence, preventing Adjapahyan from leaving the premises and surrendering to police. Armenia's security service said it would deploy additional forces to detain Adjapahyan. Earlier this month, Pashinyan escalated the feud with the church by accusing Garegin II of fathering an illegitimate child and urging believers to oust him. That prompted calls for Pashinyan to be excommunicated. An Armenian court put an influential cleric into two months of pre-trial detention on coup attempt charges, a day after authorities claimed to have foiled a plot to overthrow the government. On Thursday, "a court of general jurisdiction in Yerevan decided to send Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan to a pre-trial detention for a period of two months," one of his lawyers, Hovhannes Khudoyan, told journalists. Armenia's Investigative Committee said the court granted motions for pre-trial detention for all the detained, adding that "15 suspects have been placed in custody". Later on Thursday, Armenia's prosecutor general office announced it had opened a criminal case against another senior cleric. — AFP
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Armenia church-police clash escalates over political tensions
YEREVAN: A scuffle broke out in Armenia on Friday between clergymen and police, part of an escalating standoff between the influential Church and the Caucasian nation's authorities. Two sides have been at loggerheads since Catholicos Garegin II -- the church's spiritual leader -- began calling for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign over Armenia's military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2020. The loss of the disputed Karabakh region to Azerbaijan in 2023, Armenia's arch-foe, has divided the country and escalated the dispute. On Wednesday, the Armenian authorities said they had foiled a coup plot involving a senior cleric who had rallied opposition to Pashinyan and more than a dozen other suspects. The latest confrontation erupted after police arrived at the residence of the head of the Apostolic Church to arrest another senior figure, archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan. He is accused of publicly calling for the government to be overthrown. Masked police attempted to enter the residence of Garegin II to arrest Adjapahyan. Prosecutors had earlier charged him with 'public calls aimed at seizing power... and violently overthrowing the constitutional order'. Following the scuffle between priests and law enforcement officers, Adjapahyan said he would surrender to police but denied any wrongdoing. 'This is a blatant act of lawlessness against me,' he said. 'I have never been a threat to our country. The real threat sits in government. I won't hide. I'll go with them.' But locals and priests closed the gates of the residence, preventing Adjapahyan from leaving the premises and surrendering to police. Armenia's security service said it would deploy additional forces to detain Adjapahyan. Earlier this month, Pashinyan escalated the feud with the church by accusing Garegin II of fathering an illegitimate child and urging believers to oust him. That prompted calls for Pashinyan to be excommunicated.
Int'l Business Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Armenia PM Says Foiled 'Sinister' Coup Plot By Senior Cleric
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday said security forces had foiled a coup plot involving a senior cleric, amid his escalating standoff with the leadership of the powerful Apostolic Church. Pashinyan has been at loggerheads with senior clerics since 2020, when Catholicos Garegin II began calling for his resignation following Armenia's disastrous military defeat to arch-foe Azerbaijan over the then-disputed Karabakh region. "Law enforcement officers have foiled a large-scale and sinister plan by the 'criminal-oligarchic clergy' to destabilise the situation in the Republic of Armenia and seize power," Pashinyan wrote on his Telegram channel. Armenia's Investigative Committee said Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan had "since November 2024 set himself the goal of changing power by means not permitted by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia". Armenia -- the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in the 4th century -- grants the Apostolic Church special constitutional status and the church wields considerable influence in Armenian society. Last year, Galstanyan -- the leader of opposition movement Sacred Struggle -- accused Pashinyan of ceding territory to Azerbaijan and led mass protests that ultimately failed to topple the prime minister. The Investigative Committee said that Galstanyan "with the prior consent of several members of the movement, acquired the necessary means and tools to carry out terrorist acts and seize power". "Searches are currently underway at the homes of Archbishop Bagrat and around 30 of his associates," it added. The website published footage showing Galstanyan leaving his house accompanied by masked police officers, who escorted him into a car and drove him away. "Evil, listen carefully -- whatever you do, you have very little time left. Hold on, we are coming," he said, apparently addressing Pashinyan, as a crowd outside shouted "Nikol is a traitor!" A close associate of the archbishop, MP Garnik Danielyan, told journalists that "these are actions of a dictatorial regime" and called the accusations against the cleric fabricated. Another opposition figure, Ishkhan Saghatelyan of the nationalist Dashnaktsutyun party, said police raided the homes of members of his party as well. Last week, rights groups and opposition parties said police detained dozens of activists as Pashinyan travelled to Turkey in a landmark bid to improve ties with Armenia's historical rival. The loss of the Karabakh region after Azerbaijan's lightning offensive in 2023 has divided Armenia, as its neighbour demands sweeping concessions in exchange for lasting peace. Earlier this month, Pashinyan launched an unprecedented challenge to Garegin II, urging believers to remove him from office. The prime minister called on Armenians to join a "coordination group" to organise the "liberation" of the Church and elect a new spiritual leader. He has alleged that Catholicos Garegin II has a child, in a blazing row that prompted fierce criticism from the opposition and has called for Pashinyan to be excommunicated. Galstanyan catapulted to the forefront of Armenian politics in 2024, galvanising mass popular protests and seeking to launch an impeachment process against Pashinyan. The charismatic cleric even temporarily stepped down from his religious post to run for prime minister. But as a dual Armenian-Canadian citizen, he is not eligible to hold the office under Armenian law. Pashinyan's grip on power, boosted by unpopular opposition parties and strong support in parliament, has so far remained unshaken. A former journalist and opposition lawmaker, he came to power after leading street protests that escalated into a peaceful revolution in 2018.
Russia Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Armenians protest detention of Russian businessman (VIDEOS)
Thousands of people have joined a march in support of detained Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) in the city of Vagharshapat, home to the country's most important Orthodox site, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. In recent weeks, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan repeatedly have attacked the church, accusing it of corruption and other violations. He also urged the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Garegin II, to step down over what he called a breach of his vow of celibacy. The church has firmly rejected the allegations, suggesting that Pashinyan himself has been acting on behalf of 'Armenophobic' foreign forces.
