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, and celebrate the birth of Christ with their families.

One of the main questions asked was about traditions and how families celebrate Armenian Christmas. Many people stressed the importance of coming to church together. One believer said that their family always attends church and lights candles “to keep the light burning for our family and for our country.” Others described the day as joyful and sacred, saying they came to light candles and thank God for His presence in their lives.

One woman shared that she visits the church every year on this day because it is also her birthday. She explained that she never compares herself to Jesus Christ, but still feels a deep connection to the holiday and always attends the Divine Liturgy. Another family said that, like every Armenian family, they came together to bring the light home from the church.

While Christmas Eve is traditionally a time of unity and faith, this year it’s unfolding during serious conflict between the Armenian government and the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made new accusations of abuse of power after publicly pledging to continue efforts to remove Catholicos Karekin II, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On Sunday night, Pashinyan posted a video on social media showing himself and eight bishops signing a statement at his official residence. The document called for Karekin II’s removal as part of what they described as a “reform” of the Church.

The bishops accused the Catholicos of drawing the Church into politics and serving foreign and political interests. Two additional senior clergymen who had already joined Pashinyan’s campaign in late November also signed the statement.

Pashinyan signed the document using his official title as Prime Minister of Armenia, despite previously claiming that he was acting only as an ordinary believer. Opposition leaders said this was clear evidence that he violated the Armenian Constitution, which guarantees the independence and separation of the Church from the state. The Mother See in Etchmiadzin supported these accusations.

In a statement released by the Church, the Mother See said that the actions taken by the head of government under the pretext of reform directly violate the Constitution of Armenia and the rights of the Church, which are protected by both Armenian and international law. The statement also criticized the pro-government bishops and warned that their actions could have serious and unfortunate consequences.

The joint statement signed by Pashinyan and the bishops did not explain what steps they plan to take next to force the Catholicos to resign. Separately, the Prime Minister announced that he would attend Christmas Mass at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan and encouraged supporters to join him for a march through the city center afterward.

Once again, he avoided calling on supporters to gather at the main cathedral in Etchmiadzin. Last month, the same group of bishops went there, which critics described as an attempt to occupy the cathedral and the Catholicos’ residence. At that time, the Mother See responded by holding a special prayer service. Thousands of believers, mostly opposition supporters, attended, greatly outnumbering pro-government demonstrators, including officials and ruling party members.

When several pro-government bishops briefly appeared outside the cathedral, the crowd responded with shouts of “Judas.” Security guards quickly removed the bishops from the area.

Opposition leaders described the December 18 events in Etchmiadzin as a major setback for the Prime Minister and urged supporters to be ready for further actions in defense of the Church. In his New Year’s Eve address, which was broadcast only on opposition-aligned television channels, Catholicos Karekin II gave no sign that he intended to resign.

“A nation is strong and the state unshakable when sacred values, traditions, and the heritage of our ancestors remain firm, when historical memory is preserved, and when the centuries-old mission of our Holy Church is not questioned,” he said. “The divisive actions taken against the Church today, which rightly anger our believing children in the homeland and in the Diaspora, have no justification and will not bring positive results.”

During Christmas Eve coverage, The Armenian Report also asked believers in Etchmiadzin whether they believe the Church needs reform. Many rejected the idea that political authorities should interfere. One person said that there have been no positive changes connected to the current government and that it cannot bring anything good to the Armenian Apostolic Church. He stressed that the Church has existed for more than 1,700 years and has always served the Armenian people, while political powers are temporary.

Another believer said that the Church reforms itself and does not need reforms imposed from outside. One person went further, saying that the Republic of Armenia urgently needs to free itself from what she described as submissive authorities. Others stated clearly that Church matters are internal issues and that the government should focus on its own responsibilities.

Despite political pressure and deep divisions, Christmas Eve in Etchmiadzin once again showed the strong connection between the Armenian people and their Church. For many believers, lighting a candle at the Mother See was not only a religious act, but also a statement of faith, continuity, and resistance to outside interference.

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