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British Lawmaker Accuses Pashinyan Government of Attacking Armenian Church’s Autonomy
Armenia’s escalating dispute between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and the Armenian Apostolic Church spilled onto the floor of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where a British lawmaker accused Yerevan of attacking religious autonomy and an Armenian ruling-party MP defended the government’s actions as an effort to protect the Church. The exchange came during debate over PACE’s final report on Armenia’s June 7 parliamentary elections. Edward Le
The Armenian Report Team
2 hours ago
Christian Rights Group Accuses Pashinyan of Interfering in Armenian Church Affairs
Christian Solidarity International has criticized an Armenian government report on the Armenian Apostolic Church, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration of interfering in the Church’s internal affairs and pursuing a campaign to remove Catholicos Karekin II. The Switzerland-based Christian human rights organization said in a Sept. 28 statement that it rejected the government report “in its entirety,” challenging both the way it was prepared and the evidence u
The Armenian Report Team
3 hours ago
Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate Backs Catholicos Karekin II, Warns Criminal Case Harms Church
The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey has joined growing criticism of criminal proceedings against Catholicos Karekin II and senior Armenian clergy, warning that bringing Church leaders before the courts threatens the dignity and independence of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In a statement, the Istanbul-based Patriarchate said the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin remains central to the spiritual unity of Armenians worldwide and argued that disputes involving Church governance sh
The Armenian Report Team
Aug 10
Armenia's Top Church Leader, Catholicos Karekin II, to Stand Trial for First Time in Modern History
For the first time in Armenia's modern history, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church will stand trial after prosecutors referred a criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and five senior clerics to court, deepening an already bitter standoff between the government and the country's most influential religious institution. According to Armenia's Datalex judicial information system, Karekin II and five members of the Supreme Spiritual Council are accuse
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 29
Catholicos: An Attack on the Church Is an Attack on Armenian Identity and Faith
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II said peace must be based on justice and should not come at the expense of the Armenian people’s interests during a press conference held on June 2 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The nearly hour-long press conference focused on relations between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian government, criminal proceedings launched against church figures, the activities of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, internal disagreements with
Armenian Church Condemns Government Election Plan as “Unlawful,” Warns of Threat to National Unity
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has issued a strong statement criticizing the ruling Civil Contract party over its pre-election program, warning that proposed actions related to the Armenian Apostolic Church raise serious constitutional and spiritual concerns. In its official statement, the Mother See said it “strongly condemns the inclusion of unacceptable provisions regarding the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the pre-election program of the ‘Civil Contract’ party.” T
Pashinyan’s Party Promises New Catholicos by 2031, Puts Church Leadership at Center of Election Agenda
Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has made a major and controversial promise to voters ahead of upcoming elections, saying that by 2031 the country will have a new Catholicos. The pledge is included in the party’s pre-election program, placing the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church alongside major state development projects as part of its political agenda. The program outlines several national goals, including the TRIPP project, the creation of an academic city,
High School Student Arrested After Church Confrontation With PM Pashinyan
A high school student has been placed under pre-trial detention in Armenia after an incident at Saint Anna Church in which he attempted to strike Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The case has drawn widespread public attention, not only because of the student’s age, but also due to the deeper social tensions reflected in the confrontation. The incident comes against the backdrop of years of national trauma following the 2020 war and the subsequent loss of Artsakh, also known as
Man Attempts to Strike Pashinyan During Palm Sunday Service at Saint Anna Church in Yerevan
An incident unfolded on March 29 at Saint Anna Church during a Palm Sunday service attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of his team - which shows the growing tension inside Armenia, even in places of worship. According to available information, the situation began while Pashinyan was inside the church. A young man in the crowd tried to move closer, shouting, “I want to stand in the middle,” as he pushed forward. Security personnel quickly stepped in, stoppin
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 29
Catholicos Karekin II Removes Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan as Primate of Vayots Dzor After Joining Pashinyan’s Anti-Church Campaign
By the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Abraham Mkrtchyan has been relieved of his duties as Primate of the Vayots Dzor Diocese. The decision was announced by the press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. According to the official statement, the decision was made through a Pontifical directive issued by the Catholicos on March 16, 2026. “By a Pontifical directive dated March 16, 2026, His Holiness Karekin II,
The Armenian Report Team
Mar 16
Armenians Gather in Etchmiadzin for Christmas Eve as Church–State Tensions Grow
As it does every year, The Armenian Report began its first filming day of the year in Etchmiadzin, at the Mother See of the Armenian Apostolic Church, covering Christmas Eve. The holiday, celebrated on January 6 by the Armenian Church, brought thousands of believers to Etchmiadzin despite cold weather and growing political tension around the Church. Throughout the day, The Armenian Report spoke with people who gathered at the Mother See to take part in prayers, light candles,
Thousands Gather at Holy Etchmiadzin as Church Faces Public Showdown Over Catholicos Karekin II
On December 18, thousands of people gathered at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia. The gathering followed a call by ten bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church who asked the public to join them and demand the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II. Thousands of police officers were deployed at the Mother See to maintain order. Supporters of the Church and the ten bishops gathered in the courtyard of the Mother See. One side chanted the Catholicos’ name, sang church
The Armenian Report Team
Dec 18, 2025
Catholicos Aram I Issues Strong Warning to Armenian Authorities Over Threats to Church Unity
Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has issued a strong warning to Armenia’s authorities, calling on them to stop any actions that could undermine the unity of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He delivered this message during a liturgy in Cyprus, where he spoke about his concerns regarding the growing tensions around the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Aram I said that church leaders have been watching the situation with increasing concern in recent months. He expla
The Armenian Report Team
Dec 8, 2025
Catholicos Karekin II Returns to Armenia and Addresses Growing Tensions Between Church and Government
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II returned to Armenia on Saturday evening after completing a visit to Switzerland and France. His arrival at Zvartnots International Airport took place at a tense moment for the Armenian Apostolic Church, following the recent arrest of one of its senior clerics. A group of citizens gathered at the airport to welcome the Catholicos, chanting “Ve-ha-par”. The Armenian Report’s Ani Khachatryan was at Zvartnots Airport covering the return. Spe
The Armenian Report Team
Dec 6, 2025
Pashinyan Joins Defrocked Priest in Unauthorized Liturgy, Escalating Government’s Clash with the Armenian Church
A deepening confrontation between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church erupted again this weekend when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended an unauthorized liturgy led by a defrocked priest at Hovhannavank Monastery, in open defiance of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The incident followed weeks of growing tension between state authorities and the Church. The conflict began when Father Aram — whose secular name is Stepan Asatryan — publicly attacke
The Armenian Report Team
Oct 27, 2025
Armenian Government Escalates Church Crackdown: Bishop and 10 Priests Arrested in Aragatsotn Raids
Armenia is once again witnessing a dangerous confrontation between its government and the Armenian Apostolic Church — a clash that creates a deep divisions in the nation’s identity and values. On October 15, Armenian authorities carried out coordinated raids across Aragatsotn Province, arresting ten priests and Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese and cousin of Catholicos Garegin Nersisyan. The Interior Ministry confirmed the arrests but offered no deta
The Armenian Report Team
Oct 15, 2025
American-Canadian Lawyer Arrives in Yerevan to Defend Armenia’s Church and “Children of Christ”
On Sunday, August 10, internationally recognized human rights lawyer Robert “Bob” Ross Amsterdam arrived in Armenia with a clear mission:...
The Armenian Report Team
Aug 10, 2025
Armenia’s Honorary Consul in Russia Fired After Defending Apostolic Church and Criticizing Government
An Armenian honorary consul based in Russia has reportedly been fired after publicly defending the Armenian Apostolic Church and...
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 29, 2025
Pashinyan Plans Public Rally in Etchmiadzin to Force Out Catholicos
In a new escalation of his confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced plans for a...
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 21, 2025
Armenian Priest Refuses to Allow Pro-Pashinyan MP as Godfather in Bold Act of Defiance
In an act of defiance against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s campaign to undermine the Armenian Apostolic Church, an Armenian priest in...
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 18, 2025
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