Day: November 27, 2025
#IndiaAndArmenia
#SouthCaucasus #SouthAsia
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#AreaStudies— Dr. Melih Demirtaş (@Melih_Demirtas) Nov 27, 2025
Armenian clergy condemn the Catholicos: statement
Pro-government Armenian media published, and ruling party representatives shared on their social media pages, a high-profile statement from a group of senior clergymen. More than a dozen archbishops and bishops claimed that Catholicos Garegin II violated the oath he took upon his ordination. They referred to the vow “to be the true leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church.”
The statement said that “the Catholicos is trying at all costs to conceal the sacrilegious act of Archbishop Arshak, thereby becoming a protector of sacrilege.”
The case involves Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, who heads the First See’s chancery. An intimate video allegedly featuring this senior cleric has been widely discussed in Armenia for some time. Recently, a church commission examining the incident recommended that Garegin II suspend Arshak’s spiritual service.
“However, the Patriarch ignored the results of the assessment presented by the commission he himself created,” the clergymen said.
The statement, signed by members of the commission, was published as photographs. The clergymen criticizing the Catholicos’ stance neither commented on nor confirmed the authenticity of the document.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, however, “strongly and firmly” welcomed their actions.
“First of all, this statement shows that there are clergymen in our Church who diligently fulfill their spiritual mission. Of course, with the consent of the holy fathers, I will invite them today to a meeting to clarify their positions and approaches reflected in the statement,” he said during his weekly briefing.
By the time this article was published, the prime minister had posted a video on social media showing a meeting with the clergymen who signed the statement.
Details of what the participants discussed have not been released. But it is already clear that the statement is not fake, and the video features all the archbishops and bishops whose signatures appear on the document.
This report also includes all currently available information and a political analyst’s comment.
- ‘No alternative to removing Catholicos of All Armenians,’ politician says
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- ‘Russian trace’ suspected in Armenian clergy: Another priest faces criminal charges
Statement on ‘cleansing the First See of sacrilege‘
The statement, signed by a group of senior clergymen, addresses the scandalous video involving the head of the First See’s chancery. It emphasizes that the commission established by the Catholicos requested the Investigative Committee to examine the video and verify its authenticity.
“On 25 November, the commission provided the results of the examination, which confirm the video’s authenticity,” the statement reads.
The clergymen note that the same day, the results were presented to the Patriarch, but he did not take any action.
According to the commission members, Garegin II’s position “raises bewilderment and extreme concern.” They argue that this is a highly sensitive issue that undermines the authority of the Church.
Furthermore, the attempt to conceal the “sacrilegious act of the archbishop” is regarded by the senior clergy as “protecting sacrilege.” Based on this, the commission members conclude:
“The Catholicos’ stance is incompatible with canonical law and the teachings of the Armenian Church. It risks causing a split within the Church.”
Ultimately, they call on fellow bishops, as well as faithful and devoted followers of the Church, to “join in cleansing the First See of the Holy Echmiadzin from the blasphemous cleric and those who share his sin, firmly condemning the inaction of Catholicos Garegin II.”
‘Everyone can participate except the Catholicos’ — Pashinyan on renewing the Church
Armenia’s prime minister has claimed for several months that the Supreme Patriarch broke his vow of celibacy and has a child. He believes that Garegin II should therefore leave the throne.
During a briefing, journalists noted reports of celibacy violations by some of the clergymen who signed the statement. They asked Pashinyan how acceptable it is for them to take part in the process of restoring spiritual values.
“I said that any baptized follower of our Church can participate in the work of liberating our holy site. This applies to all citizens,” Pashinyan replied.
He again stressed the need to renew and cleanse the Church, welcoming “anyone willing” to follow this path.
“If you ask whether Ktrich Nersisyan [the Catholicos’ secular name] can also participate in this process… I think he has lost all chances. He simply has to vacate the First See of the Holy Echmiadzin.”
Commentary from a political analyst
Political analyst Robert Gevondyan said:
“The conflict between the authorities and senior clergymen will end with the clergy’s defeat, as the legitimacy and public support of the government are currently higher. Garegin II himself is to blame, having caused enormous damage to the Church’s positive image over the past 26 years through his behaviour.
Recently, persistent rumours have circulated that Russia is discussing relocating Garegin II from Armenia. One Armenian opposition figure recently insisted that the Catholicos must resist criticism from the authorities, as this concern goes beyond him alone. It raises the question of whom else this involves—perhaps those expecting him in Russia.
The document signed by archbishops and bishops leaves no room for doubt: the healthy forces within the Armenian Apostolic Church have joined the faithful in their demands. Internal fractures in any institution eventually lead to radical changes. Therefore, the day is not far off when the 133rd Patriarch of all Armenians will be named. The Armenian Apostolic Church will then work hand in hand with the authorities to develop and strengthen Armenia.”
Armenian clergy condemn the Catholicos: statement
Under the auspices of the Presidency of Turkiye, the 11th World Halal Summit and Halal Expo International Trade Fair opened at the Istanbul Expo Center. The event is organized in cooperation with the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), an affiliated institution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and the Halal Accreditation Agency (HAK). Anadolu Agency (AA) serves as the global communication partner, and the summit is held under the motto “Innovation and Excellence in Halal Trade.”
Abkhazia’s president defends opposition figures
“No citizen of Abkhazia will ever be handed over to a foreign state, full stop.”
With this statement, Abkhazian president Badra Gunba came to the defence of three opposition figures against whom Russia has opened a criminal case on charges of armed robbery.
According to the Russian version of events, Abkhazian MP Kan Kvarchia and two other opposition members — Eshsou Kakalya and Khyna Dumaа — allegedly carried out a robbery attack on three Russian nationals.
The victims are not named, but it is clear they were Russian political strategists who were working illegally for pro-government candidates during Abkhazia’s recent municipal elections. The opposition figures tried to expose the “undocumented” political consultants, but now find themselves accused and placed on Russia’s wanted list.
“In accordance with one of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution of our country, citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia cannot be handed over to another state for criminal prosecution, regardless of the crime they are suspected of committing.
We proceed from the position that their actions must be investigated by the competent authorities of our country. If they constitute a criminal offense, the case should be heard by the Abkhazian courts under the laws of our state,” said Badra Gunba, making it clear that he does not intend to hand the opposition figures over to Russian law enforcement.
A day before the president, Abkhazia’s attorney general Adgur Agrba made a similar statement.
What happened?
In early November, just days before municipal elections in Abkhazia, a group of opposition activists led by MP Kan Kvarchia raided an office where Russian political strategists Ivan Reva, Pavel Timofeev, and Dmitry Budykin were working.
Under pressure from the activists, Ivan Reva admitted that they were illegally campaigning in favour of pro-government candidates and that he had even hired people to tear down opposition candidates’ campaign posters.
The activists handed the political strategists over to Abkhazia’s State Security Service (SGB) and demanded a full investigation. However, no investigation took place, and the strategists were quickly taken to Russia, where they claimed that the opposition figures had attacked them and seized around two million rubles.
This was received very negatively within Abkhazian society and was seen as blatant Russian interference in the republic’s internal affairs. Most experts cite this context to explain the statements made by President Badra Gunba and the attorney general.
Experts also note that the president’s statement came a day before the congress of the opposition party Forum of National Unity of Abkhazia, suggesting that Gunba may have sought to ease domestic political tensions ahead of the event.
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Abkhazia’s president defends opposition figures