KeghartBy Dikran Abrahamian, MD, and Gevorg Natali Yazichyan, 27 July 2025
The article is an abridged and adapted version of the Armenian original posted in late July 2025, twelve days before the infamous meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev and President Trump in Washington, DC.– Editor
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We assume that the public following current events is aware of the extensive mudslinging between Pashinyan and Karekin II. Not only the Armenian press, but also international media outlets, dailies, some with nefarious intents, reflect on this unprecedented yet sad phenomenon. Unfortunately, foremost, it is the authority of the Armenian Apostolic Church that is being trampled on and cruelly exploited by political interests.
If Pashinyan’s intentions were sincere, why didn’t he act in 2018? His popularity was at its peak, whereas Karekin II was unwelcome by the majority of the Armenian population, and not only in Armenia. It was Pashinyan himself who, during the numerous rallies in Yerevan’s Republic Square, ordered the removal of the posters that depicted Robert Kocharian, Serzh Sargsyan, and Karekin II side by side, all three with an X drawn on them, as undesirable individuals. Contrary to what was said in public, during the same period of regime transition, Pashinyan covered up the illegalities committed by Karekin II and his followers against the members of the “New Armenia, New Patriarch” movement. He referenced it only seven years later.
Karekin II’s shortcomings have long been known to many, including to Pashinyan. In 2013, Keghart listed 23 accusations against him, to which no response has been given to date. Pashinyan likely opened the bag of accusations now in the hope of 1) diverting the attention of the citizens of the Republic of Armenia (RA) from other vital issues, such as the future of Syunik, 2) ordain a new Catholicos subordinate to him, and 3) neutralize the institution (i.e. the Church) that could affect the domestic political balance, especially since the elections to the National Assembly of RA will be held in almost 10 months.
Pashinyan’s attempt backfired: several individuals and structures, who were otherwise “neutral” and did not follow the events closely, viewed the “encroachments” of the RA law enforcement agencies with suspicion and joined the slogan “The Church is in Danger” coined by Karekin II. Likely, this is also why Pashinyan’s popularity continued to decline.
On the other hand, many members of the Holy See’s hierarchy did not hide their warm sympathy for the anti-Pashinyan opposition. Karekin II defended and supported them when public statements were made demanding the forced removal of Pashinyan. In this context, we find it difficult not to believe the revelations of the law enforcement bodies of RA: recordings where an archbishop gave orders for sabotage and terrorism to his entourage, something that is strictly condemned and punishable by both ecclesiastical (“thou shalt not kill”) and secular legislation.
There is no doubt that the Church needs reforms, but Pashinyan’s methods are vulnerable.
Why hasn’t Karekin II convened a National-Ecclesiastical Assembly for almost 26 years? The Assembly has the authority not only to examine the activities of the Mother See, including the Catholicos, but also to depose the latter. Karekin II is probably afraid of exactly that, which is why he continues to act unbridled, without accountability, relying on his own appointed members of the Supreme Spiritual Council (SSC). The exclusive right to ELECT the members of the SSC belongs to the National Ecclesiastical Assembly.
The mistakes are on both sides, and the victims are the Armenian people, the homeland, and, especially, the Armenian Apostolic Church.
It is time to wake up, you who caused this chaos and exploit it. Enough is enough. In the face of existential threats facing our nation, continuing this state of affairs is fundamentally unacceptable.
The rise of the anti-Karekin campaign coincided with the unprecedented activity of major international players around the so-called “Zangezur Corridor”. There are no such “coincidences” in politics. The American proposal to lease the “Corridor” for 100 years (understand: obligation), the concealment of the concession of sovereignty over that territory with the invented word “outsourcing”, the obvious Azeri demands for zero Armenian control over the “corridor”, the frequent visits of ambassadors of great powers accredited to the Republic of Armenia to Syunik, the establishment of consulates of Iran, France and Russia in Kapan, Trump’s statement about the closeness of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, leave no doubt that the appetites of international hyenas are whetted and they have reached the stage of finally “resolving” the issue, certainly to the detriment of the Armenian sovereignty. Under these conditions, any escalation of public unrest in RA will only reduce the republic’s ability to survive as a state. Unfortunately, neither the current authorities nor the high-ranking clergy of the Mother See, led by Karekin II, realize this elementary truth.
We propose the following solution: force Karekin II to convene a National-Ecclesiastical Assembly; therein, all these issues can be examined, including the behaviour of the same monarch over the past 26 years. The Assembly can choose a truly worthy, blameless clergyman as co-catholicos, entrusting him with the entire task of improving the Mother See, and reserve to Karekin II only the formal authority of an “English king” at best. With his 26 years of Catholicosate activity, Karekin II himself proved that he deserves no more.
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Lucy Deukmejian
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6 comments
“Why now” is indeed a good question, for which there is a ready answer: Russian influence operations through the Church.
The Armenian Church has long shown political preference. From the time when Bishop Navasard publicly stood beside Serge Sarkissian during the 2007 election cycle, to Catholicos Karekin II’s premature congratulations to Sarkissian for winning the election even before the Central Electoral Commission had completed its tally. Tensions between Pashinyan and the Vehapar’s inner circle steadily climbed since 2018. Post-war, Archbishop Bagrat began a hybrid religio-political struggle against Pashinyan. It was telling that the Vehapar did not reign in or admonish Bishop Bagrat, as would have been seemingly appropriate.
So why has Pashinyan moved now? This is not only a question of internal processes and history. The Ukraine war has weakened Russia. Iran was devastated by Israel and the US. Guarantors of Armenia’s security were weakened, while Armenia’s traditional enemies became stronger. Under this geopolitical situation, Pashinyan began an attempt to diversify Armenia’s diplomatic, economic, and geostrategic ties.
This diversification does not suit Russia’s interests at all. While Russia has many levers of control over Armenia, it is an open question whether they will be effective against this attempt at diversification.
One of these levers is the Church, and Armenia is not unique. In Moldova, Russian influence operations used the Church to attempt to swing the election toward a Russian-oriented, old-guard candidate. While it didn’t work, mainly due to a fatal mistake on the candidate’s part in underestimating the Moldovan diaspora, the hybrid warfare tactic was clear and present.
By facing down Catholicos Karekin II, Pashinyan is indirectly challenging Russia’s influence on the Armenian people through the Church. He also has to face hybrid tactics in the press and internet. At times, Pashinyan has been crude, but the reality is that he is indeed in a struggle for the political soul of the Armenian State.
I cannot believe that when Karekin II or Pashinian I read this article, or 100 articles with similar suggestions, will readily comply and take the recommended actions. Yet, there IS a legitimate mechanism to resolve this chaotic situation. Based on the premise that the interests of the people can and must be decided by the people themselves, it can be suggested that during the forthcoming national/general elections, THE PEOPLE VOTE to elect their Prime Minister, and their Catholicos. And I’m sure that God will readily approve: “Tsayn Pazmats, Tsayn Asdoudzo”…
There isn’t much to add to an accurate account of the state of affairs in Armenia.
Yet, without going back in history, the creation of Pashinyan in 2018 successfully manipulated the Armenian nation, Artsakh, and Armenia.
The hyenas, as you put it, have anchored the current rulers with or without the 2026 elections, to the detriment of all Armenians.
And while the idea of a co-Catholicos for all Armenians is a welcome one, even that may not go well with their schemes, since they are hard at work to degrade or even destroy the historic spiritual responsibility of Etchmiadzin.
So what’s next.
“A” asks what’s next.
Open-ended general strike accompanied by mass demonstrations. I don’t put much faith in next year’s elections: they can be manipulated by Pashinyan and his over-paid goons.
Responding to Mr Chaparian, it would be good to know which “people” will elect a new prime minister. Since the wars on Armenia and Arrsakh from historic enemies outside and persecutions of the people inside who want to bring about a change, the Armenians of Armenia seem terrified to express honest views. No integrity, no democracy, only sham.
What “people” please?
Pashinyan says Karekin has to go because he is immoral. Pashinyan, like everyone in Armenia, was aware of Karekin’s moral turpitude for many years. However, after his election Pashinyan didn’t mention Karekin’s mistress. But when Karekin challenged Pashinyan’s anti-Armenian policies, Pashinyan suddenly remembered Karekin’s immorality. Pashinyan should look into the mirror. As one of the articles in this issue mentions, Pashinyan is living with a woman he isn’t married. Thus, their children, according to most Churches, are illegitimate. I don’t know what’s the descriptive word for Anna Hakobyan.
Religion is not a buffet: you don’t pick what you like and leave the rest on the table. It’s either all or nothing. I saw a photo of Pashinyan at Holy Mass pretending to be praying. Twenty-four carat phony.