Catholicos of All Armenians bans government interference in Church affairs

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Photo: TASS

On May 2, 2026, at a meeting with media editors, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II stated that the AAC will not allow state structures or authorities to subordinate the internal life of the Church. The head of the AAC noted that the position of the clergy remains strong and clear, and the Church itself is ready to defend its canons for the good of the people and the Motherland. This was reported by ArmInfo.

Karekin II commented on the authorities' threats to detain him, noting that to date, more than ten criminal cases have already been initiated against representatives of the clergy. According to him, politicians are making active efforts to remove the Catholicos and subordinate the Church to their will.

"We will not succumb to pressure or any violence," emphasized Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, adding that even in case of arrest, he and his associates will seek justice through legal methods, not deviating from their mission.

The Catholicos also rejected accusations of political motives, explaining that the Church is an all-Armenian spiritual structure and cannot patronize individual parties. At the same time, he emphasized that the AAC is obligated to express its position on issues that threaten the country's existence and concern society.

Karekin II thanked the World Council of Churches, also highly appreciating the position of all clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

As the UOJ reported, human rights defenders declared persecutions against the Church in Armenia.

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