Armenia moves to sideline Catholicos Garegin II ahead of new year

Armenian authorities are reportedly preparing to strip the head of the Echmiadzin chancery, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, of his powers through a clerical group.

The move could pave the way for the suspension of Catholicos Garegin II before the New Year, preventing him from delivering his traditional annual address, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

The report added that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his team are reportedly considering new measures to exert pressure on the clergy.

As of December 2, tensions between Armenia’s government and the Armenian Apostolic Church are escalating. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly called on Catholicos Garegin II to resign, accusing him of violating his vow of celibacy and pointing to alleged corruption within the Church. 

A group of senior bishops has publicly urged Garegin II to step down, citing concerns over governance and the Church’s public credibility.

Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, head of the Echmiadzin chancery, has defended the Catholicos, stating there are “no grounds” for resignation. However, Khachatryan has recently been linked to a controversial video scandal, raising further pressure on Church leadership.

By Aghakazim Guliyev