Tensions between Armenian authorities and Church: Pashinyan’s plan to remove Catholicos

Pashinyan’s plan to remove Catholicos

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared his plan to remove Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II from the throne, publishing the proposal on social media. He suggests appointing a locum tenens – an acting head of the Church – adopting a new ecclesiastical charter, and holding elections for a new patriarch.

Pashinyan has long argued that the country needs a new spiritual leader. He justifies this by claiming that Garegin II broke his vow of celibacy and has a child. At the same time, the prime minister insists that his actions are not aimed against the Church. According to him, they stem from the need for the “renewal of the Church, the state and society”. He stresses that he is pursuing this agenda first and foremost as a believer and a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church – and only then as prime minister.

“Our goal cannot be to replace Ktrich Nersisyan [the Catholicos’s secular name] with another clergyman who has violated the vow of celibacy. That would be political fraud, not a spiritual renewal agenda,” he wrote.

Political analyst Robert Ghevondyan notes that the standoff between the ruling authorities and the Church leadership is not dying down – on the contrary, tensions are rising. The demand to remove the Catholicos has moved beyond a personal dispute and has become “the epicentre of a political conflict.” Gevondyan shared his views on how events might unfold and what kind of outcome can be expected.

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Pashinyan proposes appointing a “married, upstanding priest” as acting Catholicos

According to the prime minister, a locum tenens (acting head of the Church) should not be eligible to stand for the position of Catholicos. In addition, before the election of a new patriarch, the Church’s charter must be updated. He emphasises that the revised version should be written in modern Armenian so that every citizen can understand the legal code:

“After the charter is approved, the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians must take place. And during the election, the moral integrity of all candidates must be verified.”

Pashinyan did not specify how candidates’ moral integrity would be assessed. He only noted that both the vetting process and the election procedures should be set out clearly in the new charter:

“And it must be adopted by the National Ecclesiastical Council or an equivalent body.”

The National Ecclesiastical Council is the Church’s highest governing body. It is convened by the Catholicos of All Armenians.

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“The renewal agenda does not imply theocracy in any way”

Prime Minister Pashinyan confirmed that he will personally lead the movement titled “Sanctuary for the Holiest!”. He reminded the public that he had previously outlined the criteria a leader of the movement must meet and assured that he himself fulfils them, stating that he is “baptised, prays daily, believes in Jesus, and has read the Bible from beginning to end.”

“The renewal agenda does not in any way imply a theocracy. It will not and cannot restrict the rights or freedoms of any citizen. But through it, society must send a clear message that it has the right to demand full accountability from its state, church, and political leaders — both in their personal and public lives. Anyone uncertain about this should not aspire to spiritual or political leadership,” the prime minister declared.

When the appointment of a locum tenens is permitted

According to the current Church charter, a married priest cannot be appointed as locum tenens (acting Catholicos). Furthermore, the charter only allows such an appointment under two circumstances:

• if the Catholicos voluntarily abdicates,
• or in the event of the Catholicos’s death.

Notably, the clergy had already expressed their support for the Catholicos before Pashinyan made his plan public.

“We express our filial support to Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II in these troubled times, so that, as a kind and courageous shepherd, with God-given wisdom, composure, and a vigilant spirit, he may continue to lead the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and all our faithful people towards peaceful and secure havens,” the statement reads.

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“Great spiritual gathering in Etchmiadzin”: date and time unknown

A few days ago, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on citizens to prepare for a “great spiritual gathering on the central square of Etchmiadzin.” While the location of the event is known, no official date has been announced. There is speculation that it may be planned for Sunday, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ.

Former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has urged Pashinyan to cancel the event, warning that the prime minister will bear “responsibility for any potential clashes or bloodshed.”

The clergy, in turn, have appealed to the country’s competent authorities to “halt Pashinyan’s announced encroachment on the Church,” and called on citizens “not to fall for the authorities’ provocations”:

“Holy Etchmiadzin condemns this attempt to provoke violence and assault. It is a blatant interference in the life and self-governance of the Armenian Church. We call on the ruling political force to end its anti-Church, unlawful campaign and to focus instead on overcoming the serious challenges facing the country,” the statement reads.

Commentary by political analyst Robert Ghevondyan

“It is evident that both sides have passed the point where a mutually acceptable solution could be reached by fully maintaining their positions. Victory for one will now mean defeat for the other.

The Armenian authorities hold the stronger position, as they are legitimate and possess the legal instruments of force. Therefore, the removal of the Catholicos and new elections within the Church appear more likely than the removal of the prime minister ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections.

However, scenarios for removing the Catholicos vary, and each could lead to more or less problematic consequences.

The history of the Armenian Apostolic Church contains precedents for the removal of a sitting Catholicos.

For example, Catholicos Vahan I Syuni, ordained in 968, was deposed just one year later in 969 and replaced by Catholicos Stepanos III of Sevan. A few decades later, Catholicos Sargis I of Sevan, ordained in 992, voluntarily abdicated in 1019 and himself ordained his successor, Catholicos Petros I Getadardz. In 1418, Catholicos Grigor VIII Khndzoghat, who held the throne in Sis, was deposed and replaced by Catholicos Poghos II of Garni. Catholicos Grigor IX Musabekyants, ordained in Sis in 1439, refused to travel to Vagharshapat to assume the throne, leading to the ordination of Catholicos Kirakos I of Virap, who was later deposed in 1443 and succeeded by Grigor X Jalalbegyants.

As we can see, there have been cases in the Armenian Apostolic Church when a new Catholicos was ordained while the previous one was still alive.

Given this, one way to resolve the current tensions could be the voluntary abdication of the Catholicos or his removal by the clergy. It could be argued that this would be the most constructive outcome. However, for such a development to take place, the Church leadership — including Garegin II — must recognise the fundamental importance of Armenia’s statehood.

The worst-case scenario would be the use of force by the authorities if sufficient grounds emerge to suspect the Catholicos of illegal activity. In such a case, the societal split could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Another possible scenario is a public expression of discontent with Garegin II’s leadership by the faithful. This could take the form of a large protest in Etchmiadzin.

However, such a demonstration may prove ineffective in resolving the issue, as the clergy might simply ignore the demands of the crowd. Furthermore, as tensions escalate, some opposition figures — seeking to benefit politically — may attempt to rally citizens with opposing views and organise counter-protests.”

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Pashinyan’s plan to remove Catholicos