Armenian PM calls out Catholicos over alleged breach of celibacy vows

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued a provocative public statement directed at Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, escalating tensions between the country’s political and religious leadership.

Pashinyan addressed the matter in a post on his official Facebook page, responding to recent comments made by a representative of Garegin II, Caliber.Az reports.

The Prime Minister referenced claims made about his personal life, specifically allegations concerning his circumcision, and challenged the Catholicos and his representatives to engage directly with him to clarify these issues.

Pashinyan further called on Garegin II to address serious questions regarding his own adherence to clerical vows, explicitly asking whether the Catholicos has broken his vow of celibacy and whether he has fathered a child.

By Vafa Guliyeva