Armenian Parliament deprived the Armenian Apostolic Church of the right to receive land free of charge

The Armenian Parliament in the final reading adopted an amendment to the Land Code, according to which the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) is deprived of the right to receive free-of-charge ownership of state and community land plots. This legislative decision is accompanied by increased pressure on church institutions from the executive branch.

According to the Interfax news agency , the adopted amendments invalidate the article that previously allowed the church to register land titles free of charge. In addition to the land issue, the government of the republic approved the disbandment of «Spiritual and Cultural Public TV Company» CJSC in December 2025, which will lead to the cessation of broadcasting of the church TV channel «Shoghakat», operating in Armenia since 2011.

The legislative initiatives are being implemented against the backdrop of an acute public conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. The head of the Cabinet of Ministers has repeatedly stated that the activities of the Catholicos pose a threat to the state security of the country. Pashinyan also sharply criticized the patriarch, accusing him of violating his vow of celibacy and illegally holding the throne, calling on the head of the AAC to publicly explain himself before the society and renounce his dignity.

Recall, the Armenian Investigative Committee rejected the petition of the defense of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, banning him from traveling to Tbilisi to participate in the farewell ceremony of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II. The corresponding decision of the investigative bodies makes it impossible for the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church to visit the neighboring republic.