Dozens of men believed to be law-enforcement officers forcibly shoved and struck journalists outside Armenia’s main cathedral in Holy Etchmiadzin on December 18 as they escorted a group of clerics whose appearance triggered mass protests in support of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, with thousands of believers gathering at the Mother See to oppose what critics describe as government interference in the Church’s internal affairs.

According to witnesses, Armenian law-enforcement authorities launched no inquiries on December 19 into the conduct of the security personnel involved. Critics said the unusually large security presence surrounding ten archbishops and bishops demanding Garegin II’s resignation reinforced suspicions that they were acting on government instructions. The clerics had earlier urged supporters to converge on the cathedral to help them “liberate” the Mother See, prompting Church leadership to schedule a special prayer service at the same time.

Opposition leaders and other government critics called on supporters to attend the service and prevent what they described as a state-orchestrated assault on the Church. Thousands of believers responded, outnumbering demonstrators aligned with the authorities, including local officials and ruling party members. Hundreds of riot police were deployed around the cathedral to keep rival groups apart.

Despite these measures, police failed to stop a group of government supporters from attempting to force their way into the cathedral following a service led by Catholicos Garegin II. They were repelled by priests and lay supporters, during which one priest reportedly suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.

Former president Serzh Sargsyan sharply criticized the events, describing them as “national treason” and “an encroachment on our faith,” speaking to reporters in response to questions about the developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Later the same day, Armenia-resident members of the Supreme Spiritual Council convened an emergency meeting at the Mother See under the chairmanship of Catholicos Garegin II. According to a statement, the Council discussed pressure on Holy Etchmiadzin, the actions of the ten bishops and their divisive consequences, and ways to overcome the crisis facing the Church.

The Council condemned what it described as illegal persecution of clergy and faithful through criminal proceedings and reaffirmed its demand that law-enforcement and judicial bodies ensure justice and legality for clergy and other Armenians it says are imprisoned on fabricated charges. It stressed the Church’s obligation to protect its rights, defend its clergy, and seek the return of church-owned holy sites it claims have been usurped.

The Supreme Spiritual Council strongly condemned interference by Armenian authorities, particularly Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in the internal life and canonical order of the Church, stating that such actions contradict the Constitution, violate Church traditions, and offend religious sentiments. It also criticized the omission of the Catholicos’ name during liturgies attended by the prime minister, noting that the Bishops’ Synod unanimously condemned the practice on November 26.

The Council expressed concern over the actions of the ten bishops, describing their conduct as a breach of spiritual oath and a serious blow to Church unity. It rejected their accusations as unfounded and called on them to return to the Mother Church through canonical procedures.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Council called for a new meeting of the Bishops’ Synod and proposed engaging international organizations and human rights bodies to counter what it described as misleading narratives spread by state propaganda.

Armenian Security Service Claims Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan Cooperated With USSR KGB

According to information held by Armenia’s National Security Service, Archbishop Ezras Nersisyan cooperated with the USSR State Security Committee between 1986 and 1988. The NSS disclosed the information in response to an inquiry from Civic.am.

The NSS also stated that, based on available data, Archbishop Nersisyan currently maintains contacts with representatives of foreign special services, which, according to the agency, may pose a threat to Armenia’s security and national interests. The service said it is taking measures within the scope of its legal authority to neutralize the identified risks.