Armenian government plan calls for removal of Garegin II as Catholicos

The Armenian government plans to remove Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II from his position and elect a new head of the Armenian Apostolic Church under its 2026–2031 programme.

The document also provides for the adoption of a new charter for the Armenian Apostolic Church to ensure financial transparency and regulate the conduct of clergy, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The programme states that spiritual life is an important factor in “ensuring the happiness of the believing community”.

“To address the issue of building a value-based spiritual life, reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church is vitally necessary.”

The Armenian government intends to adopt a church charter that will establish mechanisms to uphold principles, ensure financial transparency and promote “proper conduct of the clergy”. At the same time, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party stresses its respect for freedom of religion and reiterates that Armenia is a secular state.

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II has faced growing pressure from the Armenian government amid an escalating dispute between the authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Criminal proceedings against the 74-year-old church leader began in February 2026, when prosecutors imposed a travel ban preventing him from leaving Armenia. He and six bishops are due to stand trial.

Garegin II himself has not been detained in the current proceedings. However, several senior clerics associated with the church have been detained, including Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, whose detention was extended by a court.

The confrontation has also involved Garegin II’s relatives, with his brother and nephew placed under house arrest in February 2026.

The government has increasingly called for Garegin II’s departure, while plans for church reform envisage his replacement and the election of a new Catholicos.

By Aghakazim Guliyev