Armenian Church condemns government ‘pressure’ and arrests of clergy
The Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned what it described as “illegal pressure” and “unlawful persecution” targeting the Church
YEREVAN, Armenia (MNTV) — The Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned what it described as “illegal pressure” and “unlawful persecution” targeting the Church and its clergy, according to a statement issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The Council met from November 4–7 at the Mother See in Etchmiadzin, presided over by His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and chaired by Archbishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See.
In its statement, the Council “strongly condemned the blatant illegal infringements and pressures against the rights of the Church and clergy,” asserting that criminal cases against clerics “are based on unlawful evidence and contradict international standards of fair trial and restriction of personal freedom.”
It urged law enforcement to “release detained clergymen and civilians in the name of justice.”
The declaration follows months of rising tensions between the Armenian Church and the government, including the arrests of senior clerics — among them two archbishops and one bishop — on various charges.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Catholicos Garegin II of violating his oath of celibacy and urged him to resign, calling for broader church reforms. Pashinyan insists he is acting as a “faithful Christian” rather than as prime minister, but critics view the campaign as political interference.
Last Sunday, Armenian authorities arrested the brother and nephew of Garegin II on suspicion of obstructing a pro-government party’s election campaign in Vagharshapat, which includes Etchmiadzin. The arrests come ahead of local elections set for November 16.
Opposition figures and Church supporters allege the moves are aimed at forcing the Catholicos to step down, accusing Pashinyan of trying to weaken the Church “to please Azerbaijan and Turkey.” The prime minister and his allies deny the allegations.
The Supreme Spiritual Council also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international religious partners to secure the release of Armenian captives held in Baku, pledging to “continue efforts to protect human rights and ensure the return of prisoners.”
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