For the first time, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II was not invited to the opening of the Armenian Parliament’s session

For the first time in the history of modern Armenia, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, will not attend the opening ceremony of the first session of the newly elected parliament. This incident marks a departure from established political tradition.

According to , the Report news agency, citing Armenian media, reports that the Armenian Apostolic Church did not receive an official invitation to the upcoming event. The situation has caused a widespread stir, as the spiritual leader’s participation in such state ceremonies was previously considered an integral part of protocol.

According to available information, the country’s authorities do not intend to send Garegin II a personal invitation in the future. The official position of government representatives is that the spiritual leader’s presence at the opening of the legislature is not mandatory, which indicates a shift in the political course of interaction between secular and religious authorities in Armenia.