Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
Clerics of the Armenian Apostolic Church and parishioners at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral on the day of the incident. Photo: Sputnik Armenia
On December 19, 2025, in Armenia, the clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church who supported the initiatives of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and opposed the current Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians attempted to enter the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. This was reported by Sputnik Armenia.
The incident occurred during the Divine Liturgy, which was led by Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians at the cathedral. A group of clergy and their supporters made several attempts to forcibly open the doors of the church and break inside, but the faithful blocked the entrance and pushed the attackers out of the cathedral complex.
Police forces arrived at the scene to stand between the opposing groups to prevent clashes. The situation around Etchmiadzin remained tense for several hours.
The day before, on December 17, a group of rebellious hierarchs made a public call to the "believing people" to gather in Etchmiadzin and demand that the Catholicos "retire".
On December 18, both supporters and opponents of the Church's head began to gather at the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Later, the rebellious hierarchs arrived at the territory of Etchmiadzin and read their statement, but under pressure from the faithful who stood in defense of the Catholicos and accompanied by plainclothes security, they were forced to hastily leave the territory. Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians called the events another act of encroachment on the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The situation around Etchmiadzin escalated amid ongoing criticism of the Church by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who earlier presented a plan for the "renewal" of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which includes increasing state control over its activities.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Pashinyan presented a reform program for the Armenian Church.
Read also
Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus
A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness.
In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed
In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.
Finnish MP urges EU to repeal law banning criticism of LGBT
Päivi Räsänen stated that the "hate speech" law in Europe serves as a means for censorship.
Displaced children from Dnipro baptized at orphanage in Mukachevo
A priest of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC performed the baptism of children from the "Barvinok" orphanage.
During Holy Week, Catholics celebrate Mass at Holy Sepulchre without believers
The RCC bishop, who was previously barred by police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was nevertheless allowed to conduct a service there on Thursday.
UGCC calls murder of TRC employee "particularly grave sin"
UGCC cleric Yustin Boyko emphasized that hatred against TRC employees is being artificially incited on social media.