Catholicos of Cilicia criticizes Armenian government, calls for church unity

Catholicos of Cilicia, Aram I, has publicly urged the Armenian government to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Church and to avoid actions that could “sow the seeds of division.”

The spiritual leader emphasized that “protecting against external and internal threats is a nationwide priority,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Aram I stated that he has been closely monitoring the recent concerning developments surrounding Etchmiadzin and has sought, through various means, to calm tensions and encourage all parties toward mutual understanding to prevent a potential schism within the Church.

He stressed that the Armenian leadership must abandon “unconstitutional steps that could lead to the destruction of the Church, the nation, and the homeland.”

In addition, Aram I appealed to Etchmiadzin to unite around Catholicos Garegin II and to remain steadfast in adhering to the Church’s traditions and guiding principles.

The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of mounting tensions between the Armenian Apostolic Church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government. Relations deteriorated sharply in May 2025, when Pashinyan accused Catholicos Garegin II and senior clergy of moral misconduct and of collaborating with opposition-aligned oligarchs to destabilise the state.

Following these accusations, four archbishops were detained on incitement charges.

Pashinyan has framed his broader campaign as an effort to purge corruption from the Church, promoting a “New Armenia, New Catholicos” initiative ahead of future leadership elections.

By Vafa Guliyeva