The Supreme Spiritual Council of the AAC condemned the interference of the Armenian authorities in the affairs of the church
Quick Look
- The Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church declared the unacceptability of government interference in church affairs, condemning the violation of the constitutional status of the church and demanding the removal of obstacles for the clergy.
- The statement was made against the backdrop of a conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Catholicos Karekin II.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Catholicos Karekin II has been intensifying since 2020, when Karekin II called on the prime minister to resign following the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Following its three-day meeting, the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church issued a statement pointing out the unacceptability of interference by the Armenian authorities in the affairs of the church.
“The Supreme Spiritual Council considers unacceptable the ongoing practice of the authorities to interfere in the internal life of the church, as well as repression and restrictions introduced through the use of state levers. Such actions violate the constitutional guarantees of the autonomy of the church, freedom of conscience and religion,” says a statement published by the press office of the spiritual center of the AAC - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Supreme Spiritual Council also condemned the authorities' violation of the constitutional status of the Armenian Church and stated the importance of eliminating obstacles that prevent the clergy from carrying out their services.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II due to disagreements with the clergyman. In particular, Garegin II in 2020, after the escalation of the conflict in Karabakh, called on the prime minister to resign. To remove the patriarch from his post, Pashinyan developed a plan to “renew” the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), in which he proposed appointing a temporary locum tenens of the patriarchal throne, as well as adopting a new charter of the church until the election of a new Catholicos.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Armenian government will continue to put pressure on the AAC to implement a plan to 'renew' the church
Likely · Within months
The Supreme Spiritual Council of the AAC can strengthen its rhetoric and turn to international religious organizations for support
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How deeply will differences between church and state affect Armenia's domestic politics?
- Will Pashinyan’s plan to “renew” the AAC and appoint a temporary locum tenens to the patriarchal throne be implemented?
- How will the international community react to the growing conflict between secular and religious authorities in Armenia?
