Story perspectives
Armenian Patriarch Karekin, Six Clerics Tried for Defying Court
8/6/2026
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Story summary
- Catholicos Karekin II and six clerics will be tried Friday for defying a court order to reinstate a bishop.
- They are charged with defying the order to reinstate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan and face up to two years in prison.
- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has demanded Karekin’s resignation and accused the Church of serving Russia.
- Lawyer Anna Melikyan says the case breaches the Church’s constitutional independence.
