Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II departed on August 8 for a weeklong patriarchal visit to the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
During his stay, he will meet with the diocesan primate, clergy, and benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to discuss programs already being implemented by the Mother See, according to its press service.
During a press conference, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, responding to a question on how he intends to “liberate the Catholicosate,” said it would be done “the same way Armenia was freed from Serzh Sargsyan in 2018.” He later called on supporters to prepare for a “great spiritual meeting in the central square of Etchmiadzin.”
On his Facebook page, Pashinyan outlined his envisioned changes in the Mother See: to “liberate the Catholicosate” from the Catholicos, temporarily appoint a morally upright priest, who would be barred from seeking the patriarchal throne. New patriarchal elections would not be held until the Armenian Apostolic Church charter is adopted.
