Armenian Church faces rift as several priests condemn Catholicos’s stance
Armenian clergy condemn the Catholicos: statement
Pro-government Armenian media published, and ruling party representatives shared on their social media pages, a high-profile statement from a group of senior clergymen. More than a dozen archbishops and bishops claimed that Catholicos Garegin II violated the oath he took upon his ordination. They referred to the vow “to be the true leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”
The statement said that “the Catholicos is trying at all costs to conceal the sacrilegious act of Archbishop Arshak, thereby becoming a protector of sacrilege.”
The case involves Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, who heads the First See’s chancery. An intimate video allegedly featuring this senior cleric has been widely discussed in Armenia for some time. Recently, a church commission examining the incident recommended that Garegin II suspend Arshak’s spiritual service.
“However, the Patriarch ignored the results of the assessment presented by the commission he himself created,” the clergymen said.
The statement, signed by members of the commission, was published as photographs. The clergymen criticizing the Catholicos’ stance neither commented on nor confirmed the authenticity of the document.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, however, “strongly and firmly” welcomed their actions.
“First of all, this statement shows that there are clergymen in our Church who diligently fulfill their spiritual mission. Of course, with the consent of the holy fathers, I will invite them today to a meeting to clarify their positions and approaches reflected in the statement,” he said during his weekly briefing.
By the time this article was published, the prime minister had posted a video on social media showing a meeting with the clergymen who signed the statement.
Details of what the participants discussed have not been released. But it is already clear that the statement is not fake, and the video features all the archbishops and bishops whose signatures appear on the document.
This report also includes all currently available information and a political analyst’s comment.
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Statement on ‘cleansing the First See of sacrilege‘
The statement, signed by a group of senior clergymen, addresses the scandalous video involving the head of the First See’s chancery. It emphasizes that the commission established by the Catholicos requested the Investigative Committee to examine the video and verify its authenticity.
“On 25 November, the commission provided the results of the examination, which confirm the video’s authenticity,” the statement reads.
The clergymen note that the same day, the results were presented to the Patriarch, but he did not take any action.
According to the commission members, Garegin II’s position “raises bewilderment and extreme concern.” They argue that this is a highly sensitive issue that undermines the authority of the Church.
Furthermore, the attempt to conceal the “sacrilegious act of the archbishop” is regarded by the senior clergy as “protecting sacrilege.” Based on this, the commission members conclude:
“The Catholicos’ stance is incompatible with canonical law and the teachings of the Armenian Church. It risks causing a split within the Church.”
Ultimately, they call on fellow bishops, as well as faithful and devoted followers of the Church, to “join in cleansing the First See of the Holy Echmiadzin from the blasphemous cleric and those who share his sin, firmly condemning the inaction of Catholicos Garegin II.”
‘Everyone can participate except the Catholicos’ — Pashinyan on renewing the Church
Armenia’s prime minister has claimed for several months that the Supreme Patriarch broke his vow of celibacy and has a child. He believes that Garegin II should therefore leave the throne.
During a briefing, journalists noted reports of celibacy violations by some of the clergymen who signed the statement. They asked Pashinyan how acceptable it is for them to take part in the process of restoring spiritual values.
“I said that any baptized follower of our Church can participate in the work of liberating our holy site. This applies to all citizens,” Pashinyan replied.
He again stressed the need to renew and cleanse the Church, welcoming “anyone willing” to follow this path.
“If you ask whether Ktrich Nersisyan [the Catholicos’ secular name] can also participate in this process… I think he has lost all chances. He simply has to vacate the First See of the Holy Echmiadzin.”
Commentary from a political analyst
Political analyst Robert Gevondyan said:
“The conflict between the authorities and senior clergymen will end with the clergy’s defeat, as the legitimacy and public support of the government are currently higher. Garegin II himself is to blame, having caused enormous damage to the Church’s positive image over the past 26 years through his behaviour.
Recently, persistent rumours have circulated that Russia is discussing relocating Garegin II from Armenia. One Armenian opposition figure recently insisted that the Catholicos must resist criticism from the authorities, as this concern goes beyond him alone. It raises the question of whom else this involves—perhaps those expecting him in Russia.
The document signed by archbishops and bishops leaves no room for doubt: the healthy forces within the Armenian Apostolic Church have joined the faithful in their demands. Internal fractures in any institution eventually lead to radical changes. Therefore, the day is not far off when the 133rd Patriarch of all Armenians will be named. The Armenian Apostolic Church will then work hand in hand with the authorities to develop and strengthen Armenia.”
Armenian clergy condemn the Catholicos: statement
