The trial of Catholicos Karekin II has further deepened the conflict between the authorities and the Church, at a time when Armenia is increasingly distancing itself from Russia.

Armenia’s Catholicos Karekin II has extended congratulations to the newly elected Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Shio III. The article also briefly mentions Russian President Vladimir Putin's comments on Armenia.

Karekin II has been under a travel ban since February.

Catholicos Karekin II has been under investigation since February.

The leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, is facing a historic criminal trial as his feud with the Prime Minister deepens. The first hearing in this significant case has already been held.

The Armenian Church has condemned a program by the ruling party that envisions the removal of Catholicos Karekin II, escalating a crisis between the Church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government that began in May 2025.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a letter of condolence to his Georgian counterpart Irakli Kobakhidze following the death of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, with Catholicos Karekin II also sending similar condolences.

Armenia * Catholicos Karekin II has refused to testify in a case involving the defrocking of a senior priest. His attorney, Ara Zohrabyan, told journalists on Sunday that the criminal proceedings pressed against Karekin II for defrocking Bishop Gevorg Saroyan aimed at ‘hindering the Bishops’ Synod’ in Vienna, Austria. Karekin II was scheduled to take part in the meeting, but was placed under travel ban, forcing the bishops in Austria to downgrade the meeting to a simple gathering. Azerbaijan

Catholicos Karekin II will be the first Catholicos to stand trial on criminal charges in Armenia's modern history, marking a historic legal precedent.

Armenian authorities rejected a petition to allow Catholicos Karekin II to attend the funeral of Georgian Patriarch Ilia II, citing a travel ban that has been in place since February.

As parliamentary elections grow nearer, tensions between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church continue to build.