Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has intensified his public campaign against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, urging supporters to attend a mass gathering in Etchmiadzin aimed at removing the Church leader.
In a Facebook post on July 20, Pashinyan called for preparations for the so-called “Great Spiritual Gathering” at the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The post did not specify a date for the event, but members of Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party have begun mobilizing for what could become a significant political rally.
Over the past months, Pashinyan has openly criticized Karekin II, accusing him of violating monastic vows and referring to him by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan. The Prime Minister compared the situation to a divorce, writing that “It is unfortunate, painful, but logical, when married couples who fail to honor their vows end up divorced. The same should apply to the Church.” He added, “Ktrich Nersisyan must vacate the Catholicosate.”
In a surprising reference, Pashinyan drew a parallel between the Church leadership and a recent viral incident involving the American IT company Astronomer. A video showing the company’s CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot avoiding a Kiss Cam at a Coldplay concert went viral and prompted a formal investigation by Astronomer’s Board of Directors. Pashinyan contrasted the company’s swift response to the scandal with what he described as the Armenian Church’s failure to uphold ethical standards.
He accused Karekin II and other senior clergy of violating their celibacy vows for personal gain. “Ktrich Nersisyan, who betrayed his sacred union with the Church, still refuses to vacate the Catholicosate, thereby defiling the Holy of Holies, our Mother See,” Pashinyan wrote. “In doing so, he is effectively calling on us, the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, to cleanse the Catholicosate of his presence. We will do it together. Be ready.”
Following the resignation of Astronomer’s CEO amid the scandal, Pashinyan highlighted the contrast with Karekin II’s continued tenure despite allegations of misconduct. “Unlike Karekin II, who betrayed his marriage vow with the [Armenian] Church and did not yet vacate the Patriarchate, the CEO of Astronomer, caught cheating on his wife, resigned,” he said.
Pashinyan’s statements have drawn strong criticism from opposition figures and civil society leaders. Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan described the Prime Minister’s rhetoric as “dangerous” and warned it risks inciting confrontation. Tatoyan wrote, “The head of the Civil Contract party, who blatantly abuses the position of Prime Minister, is clearly inciting confrontation through his provocative actions and hate-filled rhetoric.” Critics also cautioned that the campaign threatens the constitutional separation of church and state, raising concerns about executive overreach into religious affairs.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has also issued a response to the Prime Minister’s announcement. In a statement released on July 21, the Church condemned the planned rally as “an attempt to incite violence and aggression,” calling it a “blatant interference in the life and self-governance of the Armenian Church.”
The Church urged the ruling political force to halt what it described as an “anti-Church and unlawful campaign,” and called on state authorities to take legal steps to prevent the event from taking place.
Praising the “devotion and vigilance” of the faithful, the statement called on the public to avoid provocations, remain calm and prayerful, and stand united “in the face of current trials.”
