Armenian Church leader refuses to resign amid political tensions

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II is refusing to step down voluntarily amid rising tensions between church leadership and the Armenian government.

Sources described as close to the Supreme Patriarch claim that Garegin II told his inner circle he expects increased political pressure following recent developments involving Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

According to the reports, the Catholicos said he would not resign even under pressure and would resist any attempt to remove him from office, including the possibility of imprisonment.

He also reportedly expressed confidence that the government would not succeed in installing a replacement religious leader, arguing that the faithful community would not accept what he described as a politically influenced appointment.

By Sabina Mammadli