Catholicos Karekin II said about unprecedented pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II reported on the large-scale pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) by the state authorities, including plans to oust him and criminal prosecution of the clergy. Despite the current challenges, the head of the Church expressed confidence in preserving Armenia’s spiritual and national values.

The statement was made during the Catholicos’ meeting with young pilgrims in Echmiadzin on April 12, 2026, Sputnik Armenia reports. Garegin II emphasized that over the past year the Church has faced unprecedented measures of influence, including obstruction of divine services, attempts to seize monasteries, criminal persecution of bishops and open threats against clergymen.

The spiritual leader paid special attention to the election program of the ruling party «Civil Contract», which enshrines plans to depose the current Catholicos. According to the published document, the authorities propose a step-by-step reform: the removal of the head of the AAC, election of the abbot, adoption of a new statute and subsequent election of a new head of the Church. Garegin II called such initiatives unconstitutional.

The pressure is accompanied by accusations from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who earlier stated about the attempts of certain external forces to turn the AAC into an instrument of «hybrid struggle» against Armenia’s independence and sovereignty. In response, the Catholicos noted that such fabricated accusations only incite intolerance in society.

Despite the difficulties, Garegin II expressed conviction that the Church will overcome the current trials. According to him, the AAC will continue to be a bulwark of defense of national values and will be committed to the consolidation of society and strengthening of the country.

We would like to remind that earlier we reported that the Armenian Parliament adopted in final reading 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.