Ara Abrahamyan: Pashinyan seeking replacement for Catholicos Karekin II

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is looking for a replacement for Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Ara Abrahamyan, President of the Union of Armenians of Russia, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

"I know that he [Pashinyan] is holding discussions, trying to find someone who could become the next Catholicos. He’s going around, trying to persuade people, saying things like: ‘Speak out against the Church leadership and everything will be taken care of for you,’" Abrahamyan claimed.

He believes Pashinyan's efforts are unlikely to succeed due to the resilience the Armenian Apostolic Church.

"Pashinyan is making accusations against the Catholicos, but that’s not his place. Who is the Catholicos? He is an elected spiritual leader. If Pashinyan has something to say, let him say it, but the church will decide on its own," Abrahamyan said.

He suggested that Pashinyan’s actions may be motivated by concerns that the church could mobilize opposition voters in the 2026 elections.