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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
The $100 Million Opportunity Armenian Churches Cannot Afford to Waste
For decades, the Armenian Church in America has relied on tradition to carry it forward. But tradition, without renewal, becomes...
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 9, 2025
World Council of Churches Warns Armenian Government to Respect Religious Freedom
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has released a statement, expressing serious concern over the Armenian government’s recent actions...
The Armenian Report Team
Jul 8, 2025
All Four Pontifical Sees of Armenian Church Voice Alarm Over Pashinyan Government’s Crackdown
A crisis is deepening in Armenia as the government escalates its attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church—one of the world’s oldest...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 30, 2025
Russia Slams Armenian Government Over Church Crackdown; Yerevan Fires Back
Armenia and Russia are back at it again after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke out against actions taken by the Armenian...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 30, 2025
“Can Clergymen Have Sex or Not?” Alen Simonyan Sparks Church Scandal Debate
Armenia’s National Assembly President, Alen Simonyan, sparked controversy today by asking bluntly, “Can clergymen have sex or not? That...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 17, 2025
New $10,000 EMPOW Awards Drive a Movement of Meaningful Christian Media
The Armenian Christian community in the U.S. is on the brink of transformation, and one of the most exciting catalysts is the New...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 8, 2025
Protesters in Yerevan Call on Armenians to Unite Against Pashinyan’s Campaign Targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church
On June 5, Armenians gathered outside the main government building in Yerevan to defend the Armenian Apostolic Church and protest what...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 5, 2025
Armenian Apostolic Church Responds to PM Pashinyan’s Offensive Rhetoric: “His Anti-Church Behavior Threatens Statehood and Unity”
A major confrontation is unfolding in Armenia—not on the battlefield, but between two powerful institutions: the government and the...
The Armenian Report Team
Jun 2, 2025
‘Go Back to Your Uncle’s Wife’: PM Pashinyan’s Vulgar Facebook Attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church
On May 30, 2025, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a series of strong and controversial statements on Facebook criticizing...
The Armenian Report Team
May 30, 2025
On Easter Eve, Armenian Church Honors the Resurrection with Candlelight Ceremony as Armenians Worldwide Pass the Flame of Faith
On the eve of one of the holiest days in Christianity, Armenian churches across the world are glowing with sacred light and spiritual...
The Armenian Report Team
Apr 19, 2025
