The trial of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church has begun in Armenia

Court hearings have begun in Armenia in the case against Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six high-ranking bishops, marking the latest stage in the protracted standoff between the country’s religious authorities and the government of PrimeNikol Pashinyan. According to Orthodox Times, the church hierarchs are accused of obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling related to a civil dispute involving clergyman Gevorg Saroyan.

The conflict arose after Bishop Saroyan, who supported Nikol Pashinyan’s program of church reforms, was removed from his position as head of the Masiacotn diocese. Despite this, the court ruled that he must remain in his post until a new verdict is issued. The prosecution alleges that the church’s top leadership obstructed the implementation of this ruling. The church leaders themselves were not present at the preliminary hearing in the Armavir region; their interests were represented by attorneys.

In his statement, attorney Ara Zograbyan emphasized that such actions by the state constitute direct interference in the church’s internal affairs, violating its autonomy and the principles of religious freedom. Tensions between the government and the clergy have escalated significantly since Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war, when Garegin II called on Pashinyan to resign.

The prime minister, for his part, accuses the church of engaging in political activities and having ties to foreign intelligence services. Over the past year, law enforcement agencies have carried out a series of detentions, including the arrest of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who led mass protests against the current government. These events underscore the deep divide in Armenian society, where the Armenian Apostolic Church remains one of the most influential institutions.