Armenian PM’s office denies plans to force church leader’s resignation

The press service of the Armenian Prime Minister has responded to circulating reports about a planned action against the head of the Armenian Church, calling claims that Nikol Pashinyan intends to remove the Catholicos during an upcoming liturgy false.

Prime Minister Pashinyan’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, clarified the situation regarding the premier’s plans for Sunday in a statement to Armenian media, Caliber.Az reports.

The clarification came after press reports suggested that Pashinyan would visit the Etchmiadzin Cathedral on December 21 accompanied by supporters and loyal clergy to pressure the Catholicos of All Armenians to leave the Veharan residence in Etchmiadzin.

Bagdasaryan strongly denied any political motive behind the visit, stating that reports “of pressure on the Church do not correspond to reality.” She emphasised that attending the Sunday liturgy is a weekly tradition for the Prime Minister, not a special political action. Details about the specific church he will visit will be announced later. The report notes that Pashinyan missed the previous service due to an official trip to Russia.

By Khagan Isayev