Armenian opposition figure warns of possible alternative Catholicosate

Armenian authorities could seek to establish an alternative Catholicosate if they fail to remove the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Eduard Sharmazanov, a member of the Republican Party’s executive body, has said.

Sharmazanov said removing the Catholicos would not be possible under church canon law and suggested that the authorities could instead seek to establish a separate religious structure, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

“In a canonical sense, it is impossible to depose the Catholicos. The only option is to declare that the Catholicos is not recognised and to establish a separate, alternative Catholicosate for Armenia,” he said.

Sharmazanov said a similar situation had occurred in Armenian history between 591 and 602.

He also accused the authorities of seeking to divide the Armenian Apostolic Church through a “divide and conquer” approach, claiming that the process had already partially succeeded as some senior clergy members had spoken out against the church.

By Sabina Mammadli