Pashinyan urges priests to protest at Catholicos commemoration
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. Photo: News-Armenia
On December 27, 2025, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, urged clergy to allow and not hinder the expression of protest when mentioning the name of the Catholicos of All Armenians during the Liturgy in churches, reports News-Armenia agency.
According to the head of the government, people have approached him, noting that during participation in services in various churches, when the name of Ktrich Nersisyan (the secular name of the Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians) is mentioned, they feel the urge to express protest. These believers, Pashinyan noted, are interested in whether such actions are permissible during the Liturgy and how priests should react to this.
Answering this question, the prime minister stated: “I believe – yes, this is possible and permissible, since it is a legitimate expectation.” He added that clergy should not prevent the expression of this position, and that followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church should not only form their own attitude toward what is happening, but also express it openly. “We must not only form an opinion about this fact, but also voice it, seeking practical results,” he emphasized
Pashinyan also announced that he intends to participate in the Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Garni. "I expect that here too the name of Ktrich Nersisyan will not be mentioned during the Liturgy – for the reasons and justifications previously stated," the Prime Minister said, effectively outlining his expectations from the clergy.
Previously, the head of the government repeatedly criticized the Armenian Apostolic Church and personally Catholicos Karekin II. The Supreme Church Council of the AAC characterized Pashinyan's statements as a shameful anti-church campaign, warning of the possible destructive consequences of such processes for the Church and society.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Armenia, Pashinyan's supporters attempted to storm the Echmiadzin Cathedral.
Read also
Pope Leo visits Grand Mosque of Algiers calling it "the space that belongs to God"
The Pontiff emphasized the spiritual significance of the mosque as a sacred space for prayer and dialogue between believers of different denominations.
Dumenko discusses UOC communities' "transfers" to OCU with British Ambassador
The head of the OCU discussed with the diplomat Britain's assistance to Ukraine and the role of the Church in wartime conditions.
Shevchuk: Orthodox and Catholics should celebrate Easter together
The head of the UGCC called on the entire Christian world to seek a common date for celebrating Easter so that "east and west are no longer divided on this holy day".
Israeli rabbis lash out at pope over anti-war remarks
In Israel, the pontiff’s calls for peace were said to blur the line between aggressor and defender, with critics demanding: “Do not preach morality to us.”
Metropolitan Victor leads patronal feast of persecuted Krasyliv community
The Resurrection parish of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC celebrated its patronal feast in makeshift premises.
Shevchuk to Zelensky: We tell the world there is religious liberty in Ukraine
During the UCCRO meeting with Zelensky, Shevchuk assured the president that Greek Catholics are telling the world that Ukraine enjoys freedom of religion.