Catholicos Karekin II goes on trial

The initial hearing in the trial of Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Karekin II and six other high-ranking archbishops — members of the Supreme Spiritual Council — has begun in a court in Vagharshapat, a city in Armavir Province that is home to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Catholicos Karekin II and the other archbishops are attending the hearing, which is being presided over by Judge Hakob Manukyan.

The judge said the court would proceed behind closed doors because information related to private matters could be disclosed during the hearings.

Representatives of opposition political forces gathered outside the courtroom in a show of solidarity with the Catholicos.

Catholicos Karekin II has been charged with obstructing the enforcement of a legally binding court ruling by using his official powers in his capacity as both Catholicos and Chairman of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

On January 10, 2026, by order of Karekin II, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, was removed from his position as diocesan leader.

Bishop Gevorg Saroyan challenged the decision to remove him from office in court. On January 17, the court ruled to reinstate him as the Primate of the Diocese until a final judicial decision is issued in the case.

Charges have been brought against the Catholicos and six bishops for failing to comply with the court’s ruling. The clergy members have denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the court does not have jurisdiction over such matters.

In addition to Karekin II, charges have also been filed against Archbishop Natan Hovhannisyan, Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Bishop Mushegh Babayan, Archbishop Haykazun Najaryan, and Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan.