Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called for the formation of a steering committee to prepare the ground for new elections of the Catholicos of All Armenians. In a recent statement, Pashinyan said that decisive steps are needed to “liberate” the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and initiate a renewal process.
“The coordinating group can include both men and women, laypeople and clergy,” Pashinyan noted, adding that in case of the clergy it is essential not to have violated their vow of celibacy.
Pashinyan stated that he would personally select the first 10 members of the commission. The group will later decide on its own expansion mechanisms and internal structure.
The proposal comes amid ongoing criticism from Pashinyan targeting the Catholicos and senior church leaders via Facebook posts. In response, the Mother See recently issued a statement condemning what it described as the politicization of the Church and the Patriarch.
Separately, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia also expressed concern, following an online meeting led by His Holiness Aram I. Participants warned that the public statements by Armenia’s leadership have created social tension and stressed that such issues should not be raised in this manner.
