Church’s resolve and resilience will shape Armenia’s future in upcoming political cycle, Izvestia writes

The struggle between secular and spiritual authority in Armenia is entering its final stage. Catholicos Karekin II plans to hold a bishops’ assembly from Feb. 16–19 in St. Pölten, Austria. Authorities are reportedly doing everything they can to obstruct the event, and tensions are intensifying ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Izvestia writes.

According to reports, the challenge for authorities is that even imprisonment would not automatically mean the resignation of the Catholicos. Furthermore, critical parliamentary elections are scheduled for June this year. The Church, which enjoys significant public influence, could play a decisive role, for example by supporting certain opposition forces. Authorities, it seems, will likely continue their campaign of defamation and slander to prevent this.

The struggle between secular and spiritual powers also carries geopolitical implications.

Political analyst Artur Ataev believes that the Armenian Apostolic Church’s assembly will take place under unprecedented pressure.

“Restrictions have been applied to six potential participants regarding travel, and four are currently in prison. The targeted campaign to undermine the Church continues. I do not rule out the possibility that this attack is being coordinated by a foreign embassy. It may also have been discussed during the recent visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Yerevan,” Ataev said.

According to the expert, the Armenian Apostolic Church is demonstrating determination and resilience, and the outcome of this confrontation will shape the country’s future in the upcoming political cycle.