Armenian bishops demand the resignation of the Catholicos

Discontent with the leadership of Catholicos Karekin II is growing within the Armenian Apostolic Church. Ten bishops and archbishops have publicly called for his resignation, citing serious managerial miscalculations and unfair decisions that have led to a profound crisis and division among the faithful.

The hierarchs, including Hovhannes Terteryan, Navasard Kchoyan, and Abraham Mkrtchyan, in their statement demanded that Karekin II soberly assess the situation and step down voluntarily, opening the possibility of holding new elections to restore church unity.

Earlier, Armenian media reported that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had identified two potential candidates to replace the current Catholicos of All Armenians. The Zhoghovurd newspaper, citing its own sources, named Archbishop Terteryan, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the United States, and Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I as the main contenders.

Pashinyan claimed that the current Catholicos was planning a military coup in the country. In early July, the head of state publicly appealed to the clergy, demanding that Garegin II be removed from office. The prime minister accused him and the Armenian clergy of working for Russia.

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