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.

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