Garegin II condemned the arrests of clergymen and spoke of the Armenian Church's steadfastness

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II issued a statement condemning the Armenian authorities’ anti-church campaign and arrests of clergymen. He emphasized that despite pressure and persecution, the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) remains steadfast and faithful to its mission. The statement was made amid a mass pilgrimage in support of the Church organized after the detention of a number of clerics.

Addressing a thousand pilgrims at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, Karekin II expressed sorrow over the fact that «loyal Armenian clerics are being deprived of their freedom due to political decisions, false and trumped-up accusations.» According to the AAC Press Office, the Catholicos expressed confidence that with «God’s help we will be able to restore justice.» The pilgrimage was organized at the call of the Mer Dzev movement, linked to previously arrested Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, and was a response to the authorities’ actions, which began at the end of May 2025.

Earlier, the Armenian Apostolic Church reported the detention of 13 clergymen. Among them is the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich (Hayk Proshyan), who was arrested for two months on charges of coercion to participate in rallies. The abbot of Surb Gevorg Monastery, Garegin Arsenyan, was also arrested for a month. Opposition representatives consider these arrests to be part of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s targeted campaign against the AAC and its head.

In his address, Garegin II also touched upon the general challenges facing the country. He noted that external threats are exacerbated by internal divisions, which are «further deepened by the planting of intolerance and hatred.» The Catholicos thanked the pilgrims for their loyalty and support, emphasizing that the Church will continue to «defend the interests of our nation and fatherland» with the same zeal.

To remind, the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) made a harsh statement accusing the Armenian authorities of persecution and repression after the detention of thirteen clergymen. Among the detainees was a high-ranking hierarch, the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese. The official reason for the detention, according to the investigation, was the coercion of citizens to participate in rallies.