Armenian Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan has requested disciplinary action against Judge Hakob Manukyan, who recused himself from a criminal case involving Catholicos Karekin II and six bishops. The request was submitted to the Supreme Judicial Council on October 19. Manukyan stepped aside from the Armavir Court of First Instance proceedings, citing past professional ties to the defense lawyer representing the Catholicos. The Justice Ministry initiated proceedings in August, and the council is scheduled to hear the matter on November 16. This development highlights ongoing tensions between state authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church leadership.
Christian Solidarity International reports that the head of Armenia’s national church, Catholicos Karekin II, is scheduled to go on trial tomorrow. The group describes this event as a new stage in the Armenian government’s campaign to remove him, which has continued for over a year. However, the outlet notes that the government has faced recent setbacks in both domestic courts and international public opinion. This development concerns one of the oldest churches in the world, highlighting ongoing tensions between state authorities and religious leadership in Armenia.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by joejo joestar on UnsplashPersecuted church
Armenian authorities have postponed the court hearing against Karekín II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, and six bishops. The session, originally scheduled for October 30 in Echmiadzin, is now set for November 6. The legal case accuses the church hierarchy of obstructing a judicial order regarding the removal of Bishop Kevork Saroyan. The defense argues that the state lacks jurisdiction over internal church matters, citing constitutional guarantees of autonomy. This legal battle reflects the ongoing tension between the Armenian government and the Apostolic Church hierarchy, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian publicly calling for the Catholicos's resignation. Karekín II remains under a travel ban since February.
Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev opened the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku on October 27. The event gathered over 2,000 attendees, including representatives from the UN and UNESCO. Aliyev presented his nation as a model of religious tolerance. However, the outlet reports he omitted the forced displacement of over 120,000 Christians from Artsaj following the 2023 offensive. International speakers praised Azerbaijan’s efforts without addressing the crisis. The article argues this narrative contradicts the ongoing humanitarian situation and alleged destruction of Armenian heritage in the region.
Georg Soghoyan, an Armenian aid worker, shared his testimony in the United States after spending five years in Azerbaijani prisons. He stated he holds no resentment toward his captors but wants to highlight the plight of Armenians still detained. Soghoyan was captured in November 2020 while delivering humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. He was released in January 2024 during a prisoner exchange between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to Armenian reports, 19 Armenians remain in Azerbaijani custody. Soghoyan urged attendees to share his story to raise awareness about the suffering of prisoners and their families.
Gevorg Sujyan, an Armenian aid worker released from Azerbaijani custody in January, shared his five-year imprisonment experience in Yerevan, Armenia. Speaking to a delegation organized by Save Armenia and the Center for Truth and Justice, Sujyan described severe beatings and harsh cell conditions. He stated he holds no resentment toward his captors but aims to highlight the suffering of the 19 Armenians still detained in Azerbaijan. Sujyan, captured in November 2020, emphasized the human cost of the conflict, urging attendees to raise awareness for those remaining in custody and the families of the 191 people still listed as missing from the 2020 war.
Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakian alleges that twenty ethnic Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan are held in isolation with limited contact to monitored phone calls. The group says prisoners are denied Bibles, forced to read the Quran, and one had a cross tattoo burned off. These claims follow Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, which led to mass displacement. Azerbaijani officials reject the allegations as unfounded. The cases, including that of former official Ruben Vardanyan, are being reviewed by the European Court of Human Rights amid concerns over fair trial standards and religious freedom.
An Armenian court in Armavir Province began the trial of Catholicos Karekin II and six bishops yesterday. The religious leaders are accused of obstructing a court order regarding cleric Gevorg Saroyan, who was removed from his post despite a judicial ruling to keep him in office. This legal action is part of an ongoing conflict between the Armenian Apostolic Church and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The Prime Minister has accused the Church of political interference and foreign ties. The Church’s lawyer stated that the state’s actions violate religious freedom and church autonomy. The dispute intensified after the 2020 war, leading to arrests of other clerics and deepening national divisions.
Armenia's Catholicos Karekin II and six senior clerics appeared in court in Vagharshapat on August 7, facing criminal charges for allegedly obstructing a civil court order. The case stems from the church's decision to defrock Bishop Gevorg Saroyan after a judge ruled he could remain in his diocese. Prosecutors seek up to two years in prison if convicted. This legal challenge coincides with the Catholicos being excluded from the opening of the newly elected National Assembly, a break from tradition. Religious freedom advocates and the Armenian Bar Association criticize the move as state interference in internal church governance, raising concerns about political pressure on the historic Armenian Apostolic Church.
The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences highlighted the centenary of World Mission Sunday, emphasizing unity and missionary renewal across the region. The event spans multiple nations in Asia, aiming to strengthen collaborative efforts among bishops and missionary groups. This commemoration serves as a focal point for discussing the future of evangelization and church cooperation in diverse cultural contexts throughout the continent. The FABC uses this milestone to encourage renewed dedication to global mission work, fostering solidarity among Christian communities facing various challenges in the area.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Hrag Kosbekian on UnsplashGood news
A massive 100-meter statue of Jesus Christ is nearing completion atop Mount Hatis in Armenia. The project, led by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, features a 33-meter aluminum figure representing Jesus's age, mounted on a 44-meter base. According to the outlet, the structure is 90% finished and expected to be completed by 2027. The site will also include a museum and a cable car. Tsarukyan states the monument aims to highlight Armenia's status as the first nation to adopt Christianity officially in 301 AD. However, the project faces opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church.
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