Pashinyan again criticizes Catholicos Karekin II, insists on his removal

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan renewed his criticism of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and insisted on his removal as he addressed his Civil Contract Party’s 7th congress on Saturday.

Referring to Karekin II by his lay name, "Ktrich Nersisyan", Pashinyan claimed the push for his ouster is “a spiritual rather than a political agenda, though it also carries national security implications.”

According to Pashinyan, part of the Armenian Apostolic Church leadership under Karekin II remains trapped in an “imperial mindset” shaped during the Soviet era. He accused some senior clerics, including Karekin II, of lacking genuine faith and instead treating it as a tool for diaspora fundraising.

Pashinyan argued that the Armenian Apostolic Church must reclaim its state-oriented mission, something he insisted cannot be achieved without Karekin II’s departure.

“The sooner he leaves, the better, voluntarily if possible, but if not, through public pressure,” he declared, drawing applause from fellow party members.