Speaker: Armenian Apostolic Church to have new Catholicos

Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan stated on Telegram that the election of the new Catholicos of All Armenians is imminent, emphasising that the chosen leader will not come from the old circles.

According to Simonyan, Kocharyan's and Sargsyan's teams have no political future, calling them "dinosaurs" of politics who belong to the past, Caliber.Az reports.

"Changing parties, growing a moustache and dyeing hair will not save anyone," he emphasised.

Regarding the upcoming election of a new Catholicos of All Armenians, Simonyan warned that clergy members who avoid difficult questions about church governance while speaking loftily about values "will face a new reality or leave with the old," bluntly adding: "Better keep quiet!"

Turning to politics, Simonyan criticised the opposition for repeating historical mistakes, saying they've "exceeded all expectations" in their dysfunction while the government watches their infighting "with popcorn in hand."

He specifically referenced their internal power struggles, including "impeachments, unelected prime ministers, and the race of those blinded by greed and anger."

The Speaker delivered a pointed message to Holy Etchmiadzin, rejecting any notion that avoidance tactics or exceptionalism would prevail. "If someone thinks that the tactic of 'staying in a cave until the threat passes' will change anything, then you are mistaken," Simonyan stated.

He further cautioned that clerical status wouldn't provide immunity: "If there is a person in this same circle who thinks that committing illegal actions will be a solution, and that a black cassock will free him from responsibility before the law, then he is again mistaken."

In his concluding remarks, Simonyan emphasised popular sovereignty, asserting that true power resides not with media figures, disaffected officials, or diaspora commentators, but with "the wise Armenian people who live and work under our sun and know you all better than we do."

He challenged those seeking influence to prove their legitimacy through popular support, stating: "If you want power, then go to the people. If you can, then go to the people." 

By Aghakazim Guliyev