The Catholicos Karekin II and six senior clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church faced trial this week in Vagharshapat on charges of defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop. The case represents the latest chapter in deteriorating relations between the influential religious institution and the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who was reelected earlier this year. If convicted, those accused could face up to two years in prison.
Tensions between the church and Pashinyan’s administration have intensified significantly since 2024, when tens of thousands of demonstrators organized by clergy members called for the prime minister’s ouster. The protests were largely driven by opposition to Armenia’s agreement to transfer control of border villages to Azerbaijan and establish normalized relations with the neighboring country, ending decades of territorial disputes. Multiple senior church officials have publicly criticized these decisions and have faced government pressure in response.
The immediate charges stem from events in January, when the church defrocked Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, whom the institution accused of abusing his authority. Saroyan had previously called for Karekin’s removal. Saroyan contested his defrocking in court, and the judiciary sided with him, ordering his reinstatement. When the church refused to comply, the Prosecutor General’s office launched charges against Karekin and other senior clerics in February for defying the court order.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with hundreds of Karekin’s supporters gathering outside the courthouse. Opposition politicians and representatives of nongovernmental organizations also attended the hearing. During the proceedings, the presiding judge recused himself from the case, leading Karekin’s legal representative to characterize the development as a rejection of what he called a “shameful proceeding.”
The confrontation reflects broader governance questions in Armenia. Church leaders have emphasized their institution’s independence and autonomy, with officials stating the church cannot be subordinated to state control. At the same time, other senior church figures have faced legal consequences in recent months, including convictions and house arrest on various charges related to political activity.
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