Pashinyan Unveils Step-by-Step Plan to Oust Catholicos, Calls on Armenians to Join Him

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the creation of a new council designed to organize the removal of the Catholicos, triggering further uproar across Armenia and among the diaspora. In a message posted on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Pashinyan called on all members of the Armenian Apostolic Church to join him in “freeing the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin” and to help elect a new spiritual leader. He outlined plans to set up a Coordinating Council made up of loyal church followers to lead this effort.

“As one of you,” Pashinyan wrote, “I appeal to all faithful followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We must take real steps to free the Catholicosate and hold new elections. The time has come.”

Pashinyan detailed strict spiritual rules for anyone who wants to join the council. Members must believe in Jesus Christ, pray daily, and have fasted fully during Lent at least once in the past five years. Celibate clergy who join must not have broken their vows. 

“The responsibility to choose the first ten members of the council will be mine,” Pashinyan said. He added that he would decide based on personal talks and what he called “the eyes of the soul” to judge if candidates are sincere in their faith.

This latest move comes after Pashinyan’s public accusation on Monday, where he claimed that Karekin II broke his monastic vow. Pashinyan promised to provide proof if the Catholicos denied the claim. According to the Church’s rules, bishops and the Catholicos must remain celibate. Pashinyan argues that any violation of this rule means Karekin II should no longer lead the Church.

“This is a fact,” Pashinyan said firmly. “If he [Karekin II] denies it, I will prove it in the proper way.” 

The Armenian Apostolic Church quickly rejected the accusations, calling them political attacks. Last week, the Church’s Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement condemning Pashinyan’s harsh words. They warned that the Prime Minister’s confrontational approach threatens to damage the unity of Armenian society.

“The Prime Minister has once again attacked the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, using words and accusations unfit for a public leader,” the statement said.

Catholicos Karekin II has not responded directly to these recent attacks. However, Church leaders say the campaign against him is part of a bigger plan to weaken the Church’s role in Armenian life. The Church has been critical of how the government managed the 2020 Artsakh war and its aftermath, which has led to tension between the two sides.

This growing conflict erupted just days after Catholicos Karekin II spoke at a cultural event in Switzerland. There, he condemned Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 and demanded the right of Armenians to return to their homes. These comments seemed to clash with the Armenian government’s current diplomatic strategy.

Catholicos Karekin II is scheduled to return to Armenia tonight. This is a developing story, and it remains to be seen how he will respond to the Prime Minister.

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