Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reiterated his demand that Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II leave the official residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, saying his position on the matter “cannot be altered under any circumstances.”
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Pashinyan referred to the Catholicos by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan, and insisted that the matter should be resolved by the church’s faithful.
“The residence must be cleared of Ktrich Nersisyan through the efforts of the followers of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, of which I am a member,” Pashinyan said. “I have declared that I will spearhead this process, and I am confident that you will soon witness its developments.”
The Prime Minister has repeatedly accused Karekin II of violating his vow of celibacy, alleging that he fathered a child and is therefore unfit to remain the Supreme Patriarch. Pashinyan first raised the accusation in early June and has since revisited the issue several times on social media, calling on the Catholicos to respond.
Tensions between the government and the church escalated further in late June when authorities launched a series of high-profile arrests. On June 26, the Investigative Committee announced the detention of 15 activists from the “Sacred Struggle” movement, who are accused of organizing terrorist attacks and plotting to seize power. Among those arrested were the movement’s leader, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, along with two other clergymen, former Artsakh parliament member David Galstyan, retired Colonel Mihran Makhsudyan, and Dashnaktsutyun member Igor Sargsyan.
The following day, the Investigative Committee initiated criminal proceedings against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese. He is accused under Article 422 of the Criminal Code of making public calls for the seizure of power and the violent overthrow of the constitutional order through media and digital platforms.
