Armenian economy chief criticises eligibility of former president, catholicos

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan has said that both former president Robert Kocharyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II were not eligible to assume their respective positions under the applicable constitutional and church criteria.

Speaking with journalists on February 26, Papoyan stated that among Armenia’s former leaders, Kocharyan “could not be president of Armenia because he did not meet the criteria of the Constitution,” adding that Ktrich Nersisyan — referring to Garegin II — likewise “did not meet the criteria to become Catholicos of All Armenians,” according to Armenian media reports cited by Caliber.Az.

The minister also addressed his recent absence from church services attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Papoyan explained that he had stopped participating in Sunday liturgies alongside the prime minister because of work commitments, noting that he often works on Sundays. He assured journalists that he would attend services when his schedule allows, but stressed that he would not take part in a liturgy if Garegin II’s name were mentioned during the service.

Papoyan’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church. The dispute intensified after Prime Minister Pashinyan sharply criticised senior clergy on social media. He later proposed reforms to the procedure for electing the Catholicos of All Armenians that would grant the state a central role in the process, and signalled his intention to personally lead efforts aimed at replacing the current church leader.