Armenian leader demands resignation of Catholicos Karekin II, rules out compromise

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has unequivocally called for the immediate resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, declaring during a government hour in parliament that there will be no compromise on the issue.

Pashinyan accused the Armenian Church of acting contrary to its mission of fostering spiritual values and unity among the people, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“There will be no compromise, I tell you straight. It is out of the question. Ktrich Nersisyan (the secular name of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II – ed.) must leave. And the sooner he leaves, the better. Nothing will save him,” Pashinyan stated firmly.

The tension between Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church escalated following Pashinyan’s sharp criticism of senior clergy on social media. Subsequently, the Prime Minister proposed reforms to the election procedure of the Catholicos, advocating for greater state involvement in the process.

On June 25, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and several supporters were detained amid a sweeping investigation. The Armenian Investigative Committee reported that it had thwarted an attempted armed seizure of power, further intensifying the political-religious standoff in the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva