Armenian prosecutors investigate Catholicos Karekin II over leaked clergy call

The Armenian Prosecutor General's Office has launched an inquiry into a leaked recording of a phone conversation between Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan and former priest Aghan Ernjakyan, which may hold new evidence implicating Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

The phone call—allegedly recorded in October 2023—features Ernjakyan expressing frustration with the Catholicos, accusing him of pressuring him and his mother to participate in anti-government protests targeting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

In the audio, Ernjakyan, also criticizes Karekin II for assigning him to serve in Vanadzor, a decision he viewed as punitive or politically motivated. Clearly disillusioned, the former cleric tells Archbishop Hovhannisyan of his intention to renounce the priesthood. Hovhannisyan, in turn, urges him to reconsider and remain within the ranks of the Armenian Apostolic Church. 

The leaked conversation has raised serious questions about the role of the Armenian Church hierarchy in the country’s political unrest, particularly its involvement in mobilizing protests against the current government.

The development follows a wider crackdown on clerics allegedly connected to anti-government activity. Just a day prior, 13 members of the Armenian clergy were detained, including Bishop Proshyan, who is notably the nephew of Catholicos Karekin II.

By Vafa Guliyeva