Pashinyan questions legitimacy of Catholicos Garegin II over breach of celibacy

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has questioned the legitimacy of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, stating that if it is confirmed he violated his vow of celibacy and fathered a child, he cannot continue in his position as head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Report informs via Armenian media that Pashinyan made the remarks in a social media post as part of an ongoing series addressing what he describes as the "moral nature" of the Armenian clergy.

While affirming his respect for personal and family privacy, Pashinyan argued that such privacy cannot extend to the Catholicos, given the nature of his religious role.

"I raise this issue as a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church because I see it as a matter of spiritual security. I also speak as the Prime Minister of Armenia, because I view it as a matter of national security," he stated.

The comments come amid growing tensions between the Armenian government and the church. Pashinyan and his wife, Anna Hakobyan, have recently made a series of critical remarks on social media targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church and its leadership.