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 political rally in Etchmiadzin, the sacred heart of the Armenian Church. His goal: to pressure the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, to step down from his spiritual leadership.

Etchmiadzin, the spiritual capital of the Armenian nation for over 1,700 years, is where Armenians around the world look for moral guidance, national identity, and historical continuity. By targeting the Catholicos in this holy city, Pashinyan has crossed a dangerous line—one that threatens to divide the Armenian people at a time of deep geopolitical uncertainty.

The prime minister's announcement came through a social media post calling for a “Great Spiritual Gathering” in Etchmiadzin. While no date was mentioned, members of his Civil Contract party have already begun sharing the call widely, suggesting that preparations are underway for a large-scale demonstration.

Pashinyan’s words show open hostility toward the Church. He has mocked the Catholicos by using his lay name, “Ktrich Nersisyan,” and has likened his leadership of the Church to a broken marriage that should end in “divorce.” In a post filled with disrespectful language, Pashinyan wrote: “Ktrich Nersisyan must vacate the Catholicosate.”

This attempt to unseat the spiritual leader of the Armenian Church has drawn strong criticism. Former Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan warned that Pashinyan is misusing his position as Prime Minister to incite division. In a statement posted online, Tatoyan said the prime minister’s actions are “provocative” and “hate-filled,” and called on law enforcement agencies to avoid becoming accomplices in what many view as an illegal political campaign.

The Armenian Constitution clearly states that the Church and the state must remain separate. Religious institutions are guaranteed freedom in their internal affairs. Critics argue that Pashinyan is not only ignoring this separation but directly attacking a national institution that has stood by the Armenian people for centuries—especially during times of genocide, war, and foreign occupation.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued a powerful response. In a public statement, Church leaders condemned the planned rally as “a blatant interference in the life of the Armenian Church and its self-governance.” The Church urged authorities to prevent what they called an “illegal event” and called on the Armenian people to remain united, faithful, and calm in the face of provocation.

“We call upon the children of our nation not to yield to the authorities’ provocations, to remain vigilant and wise, and to unite in faith and prayerful spirit to overcome the present trials,” the statement read.

Tensions between the Pashinyan government and the Armenian Apostolic Church have been simmering for years but worsened after Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. While the government avoided taking responsibility, the Church was among the few national institutions brave enough to call for Pashinyan’s resignation.

The divide deepened in May 2025 when Catholicos Karekin II traveled to Switzerland to speak at a conference on the rights of displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. This event brought global attention to the suffering of thousands of Armenians forcibly removed from their ancestral lands—a tragedy the Pashinyan government has largely ignored in negotiations with Azerbaijan.

Instead of standing by the Church and advocating for the rights of his people, Pashinyan has chosen to attack the very institution that continues to speak out for the victims of war and forced displacement.

The Armenian Apostolic Church is not just a religious institution—it is the soul of the Armenian nation. It has survived centuries of foreign domination, genocide, and political persecution. It has educated, sheltered, and inspired the Armenian people, especially in times when no government could protect them.

Pashinyan’s open campaign to remove the Catholicos sets a dangerous precedent. It politicizes faith, divides the Armenian nation, and undermines the independence of a historic institution that belongs to all Armenians—not just those who support the ruling party.

At a time when Armenia faces serious challenges from outside forces—including Azerbaijan and Turkey—the internal unity of the Armenian people is more important than ever. Attempts to weaken the Church only serve to weaken Armenia itself.

Despite political pressure, the Armenian Church remains resilient. The Mother See has reaffirmed its mission to guide the faithful and defend Armenia’s spiritual heritage. Its message is one of unity, prayer, and wisdom in the face of political attacks.

Pashinyan’s rally, if it moves forward, will not just be a protest against one man—it will be seen by many as an attack on centuries of tradition, faith, and identity. And for a people who have survived through their unity, faith, and love for their Church, this may be one confrontation Pashinyan cannot win.

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