"Zhoghovurd". Cross and power: The Catholicos is ready to rule the church from prison

The Zhoghovurd daily writes: “Tensions in the political and spiritual life of Armenia are entering a new phase. In recent days, the statements of the highest government circles (the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly) are more than straightforward: Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II must vacate the Supreme Patriarchate and leave.

The Supreme Court's response and internal position

The Catholicos has not made any explicit comments, but during his recent speech, when he welcomed the pilgrims, he spoke of “political persecution” without naming names. That speech was perceived by many as a reference to the authorities.

According to the "Zhoghovurd" daily, the Catholicos declared from within the Supreme Patriarchate that he is ready to resist any pressure, even in the event of arrest by law enforcement officers. He emphasized that he will not renounce the Catholicosate, even if he is forced to lead the church from prison. This is already a manifestation of institutional resistance, of will. Especially if we add to this information the statement spread by the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Aram I, defending the Catholicos, that the government in Armenia must change.

The line between the criminal case and the internal crisis

The public is aware that a criminal case has been initiated based on the recording with the participation of Archbishop Nathan. According to open sources, Archbishop Nathan has already been summoned for questioning by investigative bodies. According to information provided to the Zhoghovurd daily by law enforcement officials, the investigation may also include searches of the Supreme Patriarchate and the arrest of the Catholicos.

All of this is perceived in the public sphere not only as a legal process, but also as a blow to the authority of the religious institution.

At the same time, Father Aram, who was declared deposed by the Catholicos and is reportedly preparing to celebrate a liturgy at Hovhannavank with the participation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, is set to become the cause of a new scandal. Legally, a deposed priest cannot perform a ritual ceremony, but according to some sources, a mass gathering and a possible march to Etchmiadzin are planned around the event.

The tension between the Catholicos and the government has turned into a deep crisis in church-state relations.

"When spiritual authority becomes an object of political struggle, the very social balance is threatened."