24News: Armenian PM plans to resolve Catholicos issue on December 28

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is reportedly preparing to finally resolve the question of removing Catholicos Garegin II on December 28 and has already issued instructions to the security forces in this regard, 24News informs.

Under this scenario, he is said to intend to enter the Mother See accompanied by his supporters, dissident bishops, and former defrocked clergy, participate in a liturgy, and ensure that the Catholicos of All Armenians leaves the patriarchal residence and is “retired.”

Sources indicate that a range of measures is being considered to achieve this, including the possibility of detaining the Catholicos.

It is also suggested that security forces may begin preparations several days in advance—closing off the Mother See, conducting searches, and detaining clergy loyal to the Catholicos under various pretexts—similar to the earlier case involving Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.

Armenia has been experiencing escalating tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government and the Armenian Apostolic Church leadership since mid-2025, centred on Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II (secular name: Ktrich Nersisyan). 

Pashinyan has repeatedly accused Garegin II of illegitimately holding office, breaching his vow of celibacy, and fathering a child, urging him to step down. In response, Garegin II and other church officials have accused the Prime Minister of leading an anti-church campaign.

By Aghakazim Guliyev