The International Summit on Religious Freedom addressed the persecution of the Armenian Church by the Armenian authorities.

ArmInfo. The International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF Summit), the Washington-based premier annual gathering of the international religious freedom movement, uniting more than 90 organizations from 30 denominations, has dedicated a portion of its monthly newsletter to the Armenian government's persecution of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). This was reported by the press service of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

It is noted that the IRF report presents as facts the circumstances that Catholicos Karekin II was put on trial in August for refusing to comply with a civil court order to reinstate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who had been defrocked by the church, and that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for the Catholicos's resignation, accusing the church of serving a foreign agenda. It is recalled that the Catholicos and six bishops face up to two years in prison.

It is added that the IRF called these accusations unfounded. "The IRF report notes that Armenia is among the countries monitored for religious persecution, and concludes that this attack on the autonomy of the Church is taking place 'under the guise of national security.'" The report states that the evidence does not indicate collusion with Russia, and that the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose roots go back to the Armenian people's adoption of Christianity in 301 CE, faces perhaps the most serious legal challenge in its history," the ANCA said.

The IRF summit's fact sheet states that they will monitor the resumption of the trial and call on the Armenian government to uphold Armenia's democratic principles.

It should be noted that since May 2025, the Armenian authorities have launched an active anti-church policy and are seeking the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, who is elected to this position for life. This campaign has targeted both clergy and citizens who support the Church. It should be noted that, according to the Constitution, Armenia is a secular state, where church and state are separate. At the same time, the "exceptional mission" of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) in preserving national identity is recognized.

Furthermore, as it became known on August 19, the issue of removing the Catholicos is included in the Pashinyan government's program for 2026-2031.