Pashinyan Unveils 'Restoration Roadmap' for Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a service in one of the churches of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo: Nikol Pashinyan/Facebook

YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday published a proposed package of reforms for the Armenian Apostolic Church, describing it as a “restoration roadmap.”

In a post on Facebook, Pashinyan said the process should begin with the election of a locum tenens — a temporary head who governs the Church when the Catholicos of All Armenians is absent. This idea comes during an intense crusade by Pashinyan against Catholicos Karekin II. Despite overt government pressure, he stressed that this step must be carried out strictly according to the Church's internal canonical procedures.

The second element of the plan calls for adopting a new Code of Rules for the Church. According to Pashinyan, the document should include standards of clerical integrity, financial transparency requirements, guarantees of the Church’s political neutrality, and compliance with tax laws. He added that the state would return taxes and duties previously paid by the Church.

Pashinyan separately proposed improving social conditions for clergy, including access to the national pension accumulation system, income tax reimbursement, social credit programs, and medical insurance.

The final step of the “roadmap” envisions the election of a new Catholicos of All Armenians under the newly adopted rules. Pashinyan emphasized that the drafting of the Code must take place within the Church itself, while the government stands ready to "offer consultations" if needed.

Previously, UOJ reported that Armenian security has warned clergy not to mention the name of Catholicos Karekin II when Pashinyan is present at the liturgy.

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