Armenian Apostolic Church Mobilizes the Diaspora Amid Threats from Pashinyan

The Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) is rallying support from the global Armenian diaspora in response to increasing pressure from the Armenian authorities. On Sunday, July 27, Armenian youth in Moscow held a demonstration under the slogan «Hands off Holy Etchmiadzin!», highlighting the growing mobilization of the faithful. This was reported by the Telegram channel «Black and White», citing regional sources.

According to the Telegram channel «Yerevan Observer», numerous appeals have been received from AAC dioceses abroad, asking for permission to travel to Armenia in order to defend Catholicos Karekin II. Reportedly, around 30,000 activists from Russia, France, and the United States have expressed readiness to go to Etchmiadzin immediately. However, the Catholicos himself has called on the faithful to refrain from traveling for now, encouraging them to focus on prayer and participation in religious processions.

«The time for decisive and desperate action has not yet come,» the clergy conveyed the Catholicos’ words, thanking the believers for their willingness to defend the Church.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise in Yerevan. According to «Yerevan Observer», Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s inner circle was disappointed with the outcome of recent talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who allegedly made no promises or concessions. Observers suggest that Pashinyan’s visit to Altai may have been an attempt to de-escalate the conflict, but upon his return, he has resumed efforts to undermine the AAC. Pashinyan is currently on vacation until August 15.

Editor-in-chief of Alpha News, Tigran Kocharyan, believes that Pashinyan has not abandoned the idea of removing Karekin II and has already identified potential replacement candidates for the Catholicos.

One of the opposition leaders, imprisoned philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, stated in a new message:

“The more the clergy is persecuted, the more Armenians seek blessings from our priests. The more they attack our Church, the more people unite around our Holy Etchmiadzin, the Mother See.”

It is worth recalling that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has publicly announced his intention to initiate deep reforms within the Armenian Apostolic Church, including changes to its ancient canon and the removal of the current Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.