Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says a report is being prepared at his instruction on what he describes as a “deep, systemic crisis” in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Presenting the government’s 2026-2031 program during the first session of the ninth National Assembly, Pashinyan said he had seen several clergymen who, according to him, act under direct instructions and, during liturgies, appeal to God from the altars to preserve the Republic of Artsakh. The prime minister described this as a manifestation of turning the Church into an institution of war propaganda and called the phenomenon noteworthy.

“They make these appeals and then say, ‘Again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.’ In other words, after calling for war, there is no need to implore God for peace; one must stand up for peace and make efforts to preserve it.

“This is one of the reasons why the de facto head of the Armenian Apostolic Church should be called upon to retire, but it is not the only reason. At my instruction, a report is being prepared on the deep, systemic crisis that has emerged in the Armenian Apostolic Church, setting out dozens of facts that Ktrich Nersisyan…” Pashinyan said before his speech was interrupted. After he referred to Karekin II by his birth name, opposition lawmakers began banging on their desks in protest, while lawmakers from the ruling faction responded with applause.

National Assembly President Ruben Rubinyan responded: “It is interesting how badly you must do your job to occupy a throne called ‘Catholicos of All Armenians…’ yet when your name is mentioned, division spreads everywhere. It is impossible to give a better assessment of your poor performance.”

Nikol Pashinyan then resumed his interrupted speech and again referred to Karekin II by his birth name, Lurer reports. Opposition lawmakers again began banging on their desks, while representatives of the ruling faction responded with applause. The prime minister concluded his remarks as follows: “…that Ktrich Nersisyan has taken the Armenian Apostolic Church outside the canonical framework, with all the consequences arising from this. And, if you have noticed, the agenda for reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church also has a place in the government program.”