Source: www.forum18.org
Date: September 9, 2026
https://www.forum18.org/archiv
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly said he aims to unilaterally
remove the head of Armenia's largest religious community, Catholicos
Karekin of the Armenian Apostolic Church. His party, Civil Contract,
included the commitment in its manifesto for the June elections to
parliament, the National Assembly, which it won. Pashinyan's government
included the commitment in its Programme for 2026-2031, approved on 20
August. The National Assembly approved the Programme on 25 August. "The
removal (retirement) of the de facto head of the Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church" is now state policy.
The Armenian Church's Supreme Spiritual Council condemned the Government
Programme's commitment to remove the Catholicos, and National Assembly
approval for it. "The Government has neither the authority nor the
constitutionally established competence to make the reform of the Church
part of its program or, at its own discretion, impose any ‘proposals' or
demands upon the clergy." It added: "The National Assembly has no authority
to consider internal Church matters and is neither a competent nor an
appropriate forum for discussing them" (see below).
Armenian law recognises religious communities – including the Armenian
Church – as autonomous. Armenia's international human rights commitments
require it to ensure that "national law leaves it to the religious or
belief community itself to decide on its leadership, its internal rules, ..
the structure of the community and methods of appointment of the clergy"
(see below).
While many in the Armenian Church have concerns about its governance, Forum
18 pointed out to Pashinyan's spokesperson Melanya Harutyunyan that
Armenian law states that religious communities are autonomous. It asked why
the government is taking steps to try to change the leadership of an
autonomous religious community. It also asked if the government is seeking
to change the leadership of any other Armenian religious communities (see
below).
"We would emphasise that the state neither can nor wishes to appoint a
Catholicos," Harutyunyan insisted to Forum 18. "Only the National
Ecclesiastical Assembly can do so, and it is precisely the convocation of
that Assembly that has been obstructed for 27 years. The state's aim is the
restoration of the normal functioning of the Church's own bodies - the very
bodies that guarantee its autonomy." She said the government does not seek
to change the leadership of any other of Armenia's religious communities
(see below).
Among the ruling party deputies voting to support the Programme was Nazeli
Baghdasaryan, Pashinyan's former spokesperson. Forum 18 pointed out to her
that Armenian law states that religious communities are autonomous. It
asked why the government is taking steps (for which she voted in the
National Assembly) to try to change the leadership of an autonomous
religious community. "As I am no longer the Prime Minister's spokesperson,
I am unable to respond to your questions," she responded (see below).
Forum 18 pointed out to Baghdasaryan that she had voted in favour of the
Government Programme which included the aim of removing the head of a
legally-autonomous religious community and asked her why. It also asked her
if she is in favour of removing the leader of any other of Armenia's
religious communities, or only the Armenian Apostolic Church. Baghdasaryan
did not respond (see below).
Lilit Galstyan, an opposition deputy and chair of the National Assembly's
Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, did
not vote on the Government Programme. She did not respond to Forum 18's
questions as to whether she supports the government plan to remove the
leader of an autonomous religious organisation, if she believes the move
would be legal, and what action (if any) her Committee is planning to take
on the issue (see below).
The office of Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan did not respond to
Forum 18's questions as to what action she and her Office have taken to
protect the autonomy of this religious community (Armenian Apostolic
Church) and prevent state/government interference in its internal affairs
and choice of leaders without its approval (see below).
Vardan Astsatryan of the government's Department for Ethnic Minorities and
Religious Affairs did not answer his phone each time Forum 18 called (see
below).
Human rights defender Isabella Sargsyan of the Eurasia Partnership
Foundation opposes the government's plans to change the leadership of the
Armenian Church unilaterally. "It is clear that the Armenian Government and
the Armenian Prime Minister are violating not only international standards
on freedom of religion or belief, but also other fundamental human rights,
including freedom of association and freedom of expression," she notes (see
below).
Meanwhile, the trial of Catholicos Karekin and six bishops who are members
of the Supreme Spiritual Council is due to continue. The first Judge in
Echmiadzin recused himself, the second handed the case to a Yerevan court,
the Yerevan Judge handed it to the Cassation Court, and – on 7 September
- the Cassation Court handed it back to the second Judge in Echmiadzin. No
new court date is yet listed (see below).
Prosecutors have accused the Catholicos and bishops of failing to abide by
a court order to reinstate a bishop the Church had dismissed and then
defrocked. They face up to two years' imprisonment each if convicted. "This
process clearly violates the Church's right to autonomy," human rights
defender Isabella Sargsyan notes (see below).
"Religious organisations shall have equal rights and shall enjoy autonomy"
Armenia's 2015 Constitution and the 1991 Religion Law (most recently
amended in March 2026) govern relations between the state and religious
communities (https://www.forum18.org/archi
Article 41 of the Constitution states that "Religious organisations shall
have equal rights and shall enjoy autonomy. The procedure of creation and
operation of religious organisations shall be stipulated by law."
Article 17 of the Religion Law includes the provision: "In the Republic of
Armenia, Church and State are separate." It adds that as part of this
separation, the state "Shall not interfere in the activities and internal
affairs of church and Religious Organisations as long as they operate in
accordance with the law, no state agency or person acting on behalf of such
agency shall operate within a Religious Organisation."
Article 18 of the Religion Law declares that "The State shall finance
neither the activity of Religious Organisations nor of atheistic
propaganda. At the same time, the state guarantees the right of the members
or employees of Religious Organisations to take part in the civil and
political life on an equal basis with other citizens."
One religious community, the Armenian Apostolic Church, has a special law:
the 2007 Law Regarding the Relationship Between the Republic of Armenia and
the Holy Apostolic Armenian Church.
Article 2 of this Law includes the provision: "The Republic of Armenia
recognises the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church as autocephalous
(self-governing) within its hierarchal scope."
Armenia's international human rights obligations also require it to respect
religious organisations' autonomy. The OSCE / Council of Europe Venice
Commission Guidelines on the Legal Personality of Religious or Belief
Communities
(https://cdn.osce.org/sites/de
declare that "states should observe their obligations by ensuring that
national law leaves it to the religious or belief community itself to
decide on its leadership, its internal rules, the substantive content of
its beliefs, the structure of the community and methods of appointment of
the clergy and its name and other symbols".
Party manifesto approves ousting of Catholicos
The Armenian Apostolic Church is headed by Catholicos Karekin from the Holy
See at the monastery of Echmiadzin near the capital Yerevan. There have
long been severe tensions
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
leadership and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Catholicos Karekin
and Prime Minister Pashinyan have each repeatedly called on the other to
leave office.
Since at least May 2025, Pashinyan has led a campaign to oust Catholicos
Karekin, the head of Armenia's largest religious community. Pashinyan has
also tried to subjugate the Armenian Church to the state, despite the
Constitutional separation of the state from religious communities. State
agencies have pressured clergy to cut ties with the Catholicos and targeted
bishops and priests (https://www.forum18.org/archi
who have remained loyal to him.
On 3 April 2026, in preparation for the 7 June parliamentary election, the
Civil Contract Party led by Pashinyan published its manifesto
(https://www.civilcontract.am/
"In recent decades, as a result of the activities of the de facto
leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, the faithful community
has been and continues to be alienated from the Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church," it declared.
The manifesto said the party "supports the reform agenda" for the Church.
It said it would ensure the removal of the "de facto" head of the Church (a
reference to Catholicos Karekin), the appointment of an acting Catholicos
and the election of a new Catholicos.
The Supreme Spiritual Council complained on 19 May
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
actions "directly violate both the rights of the Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church and fundamental human freedoms and rights".
The Supreme Spiritual Council called for a "fair response" from
international structures and human rights organisations to "the unlawful
actions of the ruling political force aimed at interfering in the
self-governance of the worldwide Armenian Church". It particularly
highlighted the Civil Contract party's manifesto "regarding the 'reform' of
the Church through the deposition of the nationally elected Patriarch". It
stressed: "This step is both uncanonical and illegal."
Civil Contract won the 7 June parliamentary election. It gained 64 of the
105 seats in the National Assembly.
Government Programme approves ousting of Catholicos
On 20 August, the government led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan approved
the Government Programme for 2026-2031. The 85-page Programme
(https://www.parliament.am/dis
included a Chapter 7 on "Spiritual Security". The Government identified the
replacement of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II, as a strategic objective.
"The agenda for reforming the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is aimed at
bringing the Church into conformity with canonical principles and
preventing its politicisation," the Programme claimed.
The Programme set out several objectives "to ensure spiritual security,
prevent attempts by external forces to turn the Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church into a foothold for hybrid warfare, and advance the reform of the
Armenian Apostolic Holy Church".
The Programme declared: "The removal (retirement) of the de facto head of
the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church [a reference to Catholicos Karekin] will
be ensured, and the election of a Catholicosal Vicar will be conducted in
accordance with the established procedure." It added that a new Statute for
the Church would be adopted "to ensure financial transparency and safeguard
the ethical conduct of clergy".
The Programme also declared: "The election of the Catholicos of All
Armenians will be conducted in accordance with the established procedure."
The Programme gave no indication that the government had consulted the
Church leadership, or that it would undertake any moves in consultation
with it.
The Programme gave no indication that the government is trying to change
the leadership of any other religious community in Armenia.
National Assembly approves ousting of Catholicos
The government presented to the National Assembly its Programme for
2026-2031, which included the provisions on ousting the Catholicos. The
Programme was circulated to deputies on 21 August. Deputies approved the
Programme on the afternoon of 25 August. Of the deputies, 64 voted in
favour (all of them from the Prime Minister's Civil Contract Party), and 27
against, with no abstentions, according to the National Assembly website.
The other 14 deputies were absent or did not vote.
During his presentation of the Programme in Parliament, Prime Minister
Nikol Pashinyan stated that he intends to establish a parliamentary
investigative commission to examine issues related to the Armenian
Apostolic Church. He further announced that the government will publish a
report on the crisis within the Church within one month at the latest.
"The state's aim is the restoration of the normal functioning of the
Church's own bodies"?
While many in the Armenian Church have concerns about its governance, Forum
18 pointed out to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's spokesperson Melanya
Harutyunyan that Armenian law states that religious communities are
autonomous. It asked why the government is taking steps to try to change
the leadership of an autonomous religious community. It also asked if the
government is seeking to change the leadership of any other Armenian
religious communities.
"We would emphasise that the state neither can nor wishes to appoint a
Catholicos," Harutyunyan insisted to Forum 18 on 9 September. "Only the
National Ecclesiastical Assembly can do so, and it is precisely the
convocation of that Assembly that has been obstructed for 27 years. The
state's aim is the restoration of the normal functioning of the Church's
own bodies - the very bodies that guarantee its autonomy."
Harutyunyan argued that the Church leadership has not abided by the
Church's statute. It has not convened a National Ecclesiastical Assembly
since 1999, when the statute requires one at least every seven years. The
National Ecclesiastical Assembly has not therefore been able to approve the
functioning of the Church Representative Assembly, which is supposed to
meet every two years but has not done so since 2017.
"As a result of this, the Supreme Spiritual Council has for many years
operated with an expired mandate, rendering its activity uncanonical,"
Harutyunyan maintained. "To this day the Church has no ratified unified
Constitution: the documents currently in force were approved by the de
facto Catholicos himself and expressly await ratification by the National
Ecclesiastical Assembly — which the Catholicos does not convene. Diocesan
and parish assemblies and audit commissions are not held."
"We consider it important to state that the government's objective is not
simply the question of the particular individual at the head of the
Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, but the restoration of the Church's
autonomy," Harutyunyan added, "that the assembly of the Church's supreme
body be convened, that its governance and finances become accountable, and
that the decision on its leadership be returned to those to whom it is
reserved by the Church's own statutes."
Harutyunyan stressed that the government is not aiming to change the
leadership of any other of Armenia's religious communities. "The reason is
purely factual: no other community presents a 27-year suspension of its own
supreme body; persons charged with calls to seize power and with
obstructing the execution of a judicial act; a primate [Archbishop Yezras
Nersisyan of Russia] identified by the security service as a former recruit
of a foreign intelligence service with current contacts; or structures used
for electoral campaigning in violation of the Electoral Code."
Among the ruling party deputies voting to support the Programme was Nazeli
Baghdasaryan, Pashinyan's former spokesperson. Forum 18 pointed out to her
that Armenian law states that religious communities are autonomous. It
asked why the government is taking steps (for which she voted in the
National Assembly) to try to change the leadership of an autonomous
religious community. "As I am no longer the Prime Minister's spokesperson,
I am unable to respond to your questions," she responded on 7 September.
Forum 18 pointed out to Baghdasaryan that she had voted in favour of the
Government Programme which included the aim of removing the head of a
legally-autonomous religious community and asked her why. It also asked her
in writing if she is in favour of removing the leader of any other of
Armenia's religious communities, or only the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Baghdasaryan did not respond by the end of the working day in Yerevan of 9
September.
Lilit Galstyan, an opposition deputy and chair of the National Assembly's
Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, did
not vote on the Government Programme. Forum 18 asked her in writing on 8
September:
- What her view is of the government taking these steps to try to change
the leadership of an autonomous religious community;
- Whether or not she believes this would be a violation of the law;
- What action (if any) the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection
and Public Affairs is planning to take on this issue, as well as on the
trial of the Catholicos and 6 senior bishops.
Galstyan did not respond by the end of the working day in Yerevan of 9
September.
Vardan Astsatryan of the government's Department for Ethnic Minorities and
Religious Affairs did not answer his phone each time Forum 18 called on 9
September.
Human rights defender Isabella Sargsyan of the Eurasia Partnership
Foundation opposes the government's plans to change the leadership of the
Armenian Church unilaterally. "It is clear that the Armenian Government and
the Armenian Prime Minister are violating not only international standards
on freedom of religion or belief, but also other fundamental human rights,
including freedom of association and freedom of expression," she noted
after the vote.
Armenian Church condemns government's moves
On 26 August, the Armenian Church's Supreme Spiritual Council condemned the
government's moves to change its leadership unilaterally. "Every effort is
being made to create artificial pretexts for interference in the internal
life and order of the Church," its statement read
(https://www.armenianchurch.or
restrict the autonomy of the Armenian Church through fabricated accusations
against the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All
Armenians, and the clergy, as well as through unfounded and directed
criminal prosecutions, thereby violating the right of the faithful to
freedom of religion and conscience."
The Supreme Spiritual Council statement continued: "The Government has
neither the authority nor the constitutionally established competence to
make the reform of the Church part of its program or, at its own
discretion, impose any ‘proposals' or demands upon the clergy."
The statement added: "The National Assembly has no authority to consider
internal Church matters and is neither a competent nor an appropriate forum
for discussing them. The reform of the Armenian Church cannot be carried
out through external pressure, threats, or similar acts of arbitrariness."
The Supreme Spiritual Council connected the aims of the Government
Programme with earlier moves against the Church
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
removal of the subject "History of the Armenian Church" from the general
education curriculum, the abolition of the Church's chaplaincy service in
the Armed Forces, the suspension of the pastoral ministry of clergy in
penitentiary institutions, and the imposition of additional tax obligations
on the Church through the application of "unjustified penalties and fines".
Will Human Rights Defender defend autonomy of Armenian Church?
Forum 18 wrote to the office of Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan
before the start of the working day in Yerevan of 8 September to ask what
action she and her Office have taken to protect the autonomy of this
religious community (Armenian Apostolic Church) and prevent
state/government interference in its internal affairs and choice of leaders
without its approval. Her Office did not respond by the end of the working
day in Yerevan of 9 September.
Manasyan's Office declined to comment
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
criminal trial of the Catholicos and six bishops. Her Office insisted that
she must respect "the principles of judicial independence and the
separation of powers" and could not therefore "express positions that could
be interpreted as influencing the administration of justice".
Criminal case against Catholicos, 6 bishops
Catholicos Karekin defrocked a number of priests for supporting Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinyan's campaign against the Church. On 10 January, the
Church dismissed Bishop Gevorg Saroyan as head of its Masyatsotn Diocese.
He had backed Pashinyan's calls for a change of leadership in the Armenian
Church. Police were seen outside the diocesan offices in Masis, apparently
to prevent the Church leadership's enforcement of the dismissal.
With Pashinyan's encouragement, Saroyan challenged the dismissal in court.
The Court of General Jurisdiction of Civil Cases of Armavir Region ruled on
16 January that he must be reinstated
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
on the lawsuit. It also said the Church must not try to stop him from
performing his duties in any way, including "the management of the
financial resources of the Masyatsotn Diocese and the execution of
financial transactions, until the adoption of a final judicial act within
the case".
Echmiadzin rejected the court decision, insisting that the Church takes
such decisions based on its own canons. On 27 January, the Church's Supreme
Spiritual Council defrocked Bishop Gevorg.
The Investigative Committee's General Department for Investigation of
Particularly Important Cases launched a criminal investigation
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
Article 507, Part 2 ("Failing to execute a judicial act or obstructing its
execution" by someone in an official position) because the Church
leadership had failed to reinstate Gevorg Saroyan as Bishop of its
Masyatsotn Diocese.
On 30 January, charges were brought against six bishops who are members of
the Supreme Spiritual Council. On 14 February, charges were also brought
against Catholicos Karekin.
The Investigative Committee completed its investigation into the Catholicos
and six other bishops and handed over the case to the General Prosecutors'
Office. In July, the General Prosecutors' Office prepared the case for
court.
Prosecutor Khachatur Galstyan presented the case
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
First Instance Court in Echmiadzin (where the Church headquarters are
located) on 28 July, which assigned it to Judge Hakob Manukyan.
Those on trial are:
- Catholicos Karekin II Nersisyan (born Ktrich Nersisyan, 21 August 1951)
- Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisian (born Samvel Hovhannisian, 9 May 1955)
- Archbishop Haykazun Najarian (born Vrezh Najarian, 1952)
- Bishop Vahan Hovhannesyan (born Sarkis Hovhannesyan, 1 January 1963)
- Bishop Makar Hakobyan (born Edgar Hakobyan, 23 July 1979)
- Bishop Moushegh Babayan (born Nelson Babayan, 12 February 1978)
- Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan (born Artur Hakobyan, 4 March 1978)
"Karekin II Nersisyan is accused of committing a prohibited act under
threat of punishment, committed with intent, that he, being also the
Chairman of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church religious organisation, using his official powers, obstructed the
execution of another judicial act that has entered into legal force," the
court listing for the case notes. It details the court decision over
defrocked bishop Gevorg (Arman) Saroyan.
The case notes are shorter for the other six bishops. Each is described as
"accused of committing a crime prohibited by the threat of punishment, that
he, being a high-ranking clergyman, archbishop, included in the Supreme
Spiritual Council of the religious organisation Armenian Apostolic Holy
Church .. using his official powers, obstructed the execution of another
judicial act that has entered into legal force".
Court records list the defrocked bishop Gevorg (Arman) Saroyan as a victim
in the case.
If convicted, the seven clergy face a fine, community service of up to 150
hours, restricted freedom of up to two years, or a jail term of up to two
years.
Catholicos Karekin and the six bishops are all under travel bans, court
records note.
Hearings in Echmiadzin, Yerevan, Echmiadzin
The closed preliminary hearing at Armavir Region First Instance Court in
Echmiadzin on 7 August - attended by Catholicos Karekin - was brief. Judge
Hakob Manukyan recused himself
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
had earlier worked as a lawyer and Ara Zohrabyan - who is leading the
defence team - had once granted his licence to practise law, he felt he
would not be seen as impartial.
Zohrabyan expressed unhappiness at the Judge's decision. "However, he
refused to take part in this disgraceful trial," Zohrabyan told journalists
outside the court. "The very fact that the Catholicos is standing trial is
deeply troubling. The case will now go to another judge."
After a service that evening in Echmiadzin cathedral, Catholicos Karekin
insisted to supporters outside
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
defendants are innocent. "We remain steadfast in our faith and
determination to defend our rights, which are guaranteed both by our
country's Constitution and by the fundamental principles of international
law."
Judge Serzh Rushanyan of Armavir Region First Instance Court was appointed
on 10 August to hear the case. However, at a hearing on 28 August he
insisted that the case should be investigated at the place where the
alleged crime was committed, and the place of that crime was not specified
in the indictment. He sent the case to Yerevan Court of General
Jurisdiction, in whose territory the investigative department had conducted
the preliminary investigation.
"We have also appealed to the Cassation Court," lawyer Armine Fanyan told
Radio Liberty's Armenian Service
(https://www.azatutyun.am/a/ka
on behalf of the defence team. "We believe that Armavir Region First
Instance Court should examine the case."
At a hearing at Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction on 3 September, Judge
Vahagn Melikyan asked the Cassation Court in Yerevan to resolve the issue
of jurisdiction, according to court records.
On 7 September, the Cassation Court ruled that "the criminal proceedings
are within the jurisdiction of the Armavir Region First Instance Court" and
sent it back. The Supreme Judicial Council informed Radio Liberty
(https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33
the case. No new court date is yet listed.
The lawyer Armine Fanyan, who represents Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan and Bishop
Makar Hakobyan, insists all seven defendants should be acquitted. "The
trial is obviously illegal," she told Forum 18 from Yerevan on 3 August
(https://www.forum18.org/archi
Meanwhile, on 3 September, the General Prosecutor's Office confirmed to the
local media that Prosecutor Khachatur Galstyan, who prepared and presented
to court (https://www.forum18.org/archi
against the bishops had resigned. It said his resignation was unconnected
with the case. Galstyan has returned to legal practice.
Need to defend a bishop or violation of the Church's autonomy?
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's spokesperson Melanya Harutyunyan describes
the criminal case against the Catholicos and six bishops as "telling".
"After being removed from office by the sole decision of the de facto
Catholicos, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was reinstated by a judicial act,"
Harutyunyan insisted to Forum 18 on 9 September. "In effect, a secular
court was compelled to protect a bishop, because the Church's own procedure
for removing a diocesan primate no longer has any competent body
functioning on a canonical basis; instead, defrockings are carried out by
the unanimous and uncanonical decisions of the de facto Catholicos."
Human rights defender Isabella Sargsyan is among many who have pointed out
that, "for the first time in Armenia's modern history", the Catholicos and
six bishops are appearing before a court. "This process clearly violates
the Church's right to autonomy." (END)
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