Cleric of the main temple of the Armenian Church threatened the country's authorities with anathema for their actions against the AAC

Cleric Asokhik Karapetyan of the Holy See of Echmiadzin stated that the country’s government, by openly fighting the church, risks being excommunicated. He noted that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of parliament “consciously continue their disrespectful and indecent line” towards the Armenian Apostolic Church. This was reported by the Armenian media.

«It is with sincere pain that we note: certain representatives of the Armenian authorities, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, are deliberately continuing their disrespectful and indecent line towards the Holy Church. The Holy Church has repeatedly called on the authorities to be vigilant: not to abuse their powers, not to violate the Constitution and laws, to stop, to cease their attacks, and to repent. To repent as Armenian Christians. However, unfortunately, nothing is changing—the evil continues. Moreover, the actions of some government officials are becoming increasingly aggressive, devoid of Christian spirit and legality. As a priest, I appeal to these officials. I consider it necessary to warn you: if you do not stop, we will be forced to raise the issue at a higher level. You have crossed the line of what is permissible — the line of faith and spiritual life. Stop, gentlemen officials. I beg you, for God’s sake — put an end to this terrible process, in which there is neither love nor light. A terrible ecclesiastical anathema — with all its most serious consequences both in this life and in eternity. So, do not force us to resort to divine power: stop and repent,» — Karapetyan wrote.

Recall that on June 27, 2025, employees of the Armenian National Security Service broke into the territory of Echmiadzin, where a meeting of the clergy headed by Catholicos Garegin II was taking place. The target of the operation was Archbishop Mikael Adzhabayan of the Shirak Diocese, who was accused of allegedly preparing a terrorist attack and attempting a coup d’état.