Armenian Diaspora in Moscow picketed Nikol Pashinyan's visit, opposing pressure on the AAC

A street action «We are together with Echmiadzin» in support of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) was held in front of the Armenian Embassy in Moscow. The event, organized by the public movement «Noah’s Heirs» with the participation of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, took place against the background of the aggravation of relations between the state and the church.

According to RIA-Novosti, the action coincided with the visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Russia. The participants called on the Armenian authorities to stop pressuring the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and release the arrested clergymen, emphasizing the unity of the Church and the people.

Those who gathered for the rally in the Russian capital expressed strong protest against state interference in the affairs of the Church. They held placards with slogans such as «The Church is the foundation of Armenian identity», «The unity of the Church is the unity of the nation» and «Shame on the authorities persecuting the clergy». Levon Mukanyan, representative of the Diocese, stated that the participants intend to submit a resolution to the Armenian Ambassador to Russia demanding to stop state pressure on the Church. Similar appeals will be sent by Armenian communities to Armenian diplomatic missions in Belgium, Germany and France.

The conflict between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church has significantly intensified after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements on the need to change the procedure for electing the head of the Church. According to the Prime Minister’s idea, the new approach should strengthen the role of the state in this process.

Against this background, high-profile arrests took place in Armenia: the heads of three dioceses — Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikayel Ajapakhyan, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, as well as the head of the Chancellery of the Mother See of Echmiadzin Arshak Khachatryan — were taken into custody. Businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan, known for his support of the Church, was also arrested. These actions caused a wide public outcry both within the country and among the Armenian diaspora.

The tension was further increased by the appeal of a group of AAC hierarchs, published in pro-government media. In it, Catholicos Karekin II was accused of «patronizing sacrilege» in connection with the publication of intimate videos allegedly linked to Archbishop Khachatryan, although Khachatryan himself denied his involvement. Some of the signatories later called on the Catholicos to abdicate, accusing him of «arbitrary rule» and «political interference.»

In response to the Prime Minister’s statements about the need to «renew» the Church, Mother See of Echmiadzin published a commentary refuting the claims that the AAC does not have its own Charter. It was emphasized that the Church’s canons and statutes have been developed over decades and have already been approved by several Church councils, but their final ratification was postponed due to the pandemic and military conflict.

Echmiadzin noted that work on the Church Constitution continues, but is hampered by the fact that the heads of the specialized commissions are currently in detention. The Church Center expressed hope for the early convening of the National Church Council, which will be able to provide answers to all the questions that have arisen.

The Moscow action was not the first manifestation of the Diaspora’s support for the Armenian Apostolic Church. Earlier, in November of this year, a rally with similar calls to release arrested clergymen and political activists was held near the Armenian Embassy in the Russian capital. The participants believe that the actions of the Armenian authorities «create a split among the Armenian people» and demand to immediately stop the pressure on the Church.

Recall, it was previously reported that the Spiritual Center of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), Mother See of Echmiadzin, issued a warning to its bishops on December 9, 2025. The Church strongly discourages them from participating in «anti-canonical services» organized by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This statement was made against the backdrop of strained relations between the church and state authorities, which has already led to the arrests of high-ranking hierarchs and supporters of the AAC.