Armenian church leader to skip new parliament's first session

For the first time since 2003, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II is not expected to attend the inaugural session of Armenia’s newly elected parliament, Hraparak.am reported on Saturday.

Under Armenia’s constitutional law, both the president and the church leader have the right to deliver opening remarks at the first sitting of a new legislature. However, according to Hraparak, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has not received an invitation, and government officials do not plan to extend one.

Members of the ruling Civil Contract party suggested the Catholicos could attend voluntarily, but many of them have previously insulted and criticized him and see little need for his blessing. The church’s press office could not be reached for comment.

“The ruling team does not intend to issue a formal invitation to the Catholicos, and plans to justify the move on legal grounds, arguing that his attendance is not a binding requirement under parliamentary rules but rather a discretionary right to address the chamber," the outlet said.

Karekin II has delivered patriarchal blessings at every inaugural parliament session since 2003.