The Chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church called the Armenian authorities` interference in the internal affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church unacceptable.

ArmInfo. Interference by secular authorities in the internal affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) is unacceptable. Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, stated this at a meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

According to the AAC press office, during the meeting, Metropolitan Anthony conveyed to His Holiness the good wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', reaffirming the Russian Orthodox Church's support for the Armenian Church. His Eminence touched upon the important role of the AAC in the life of the Armenian people, noting the unacceptability of any interference by secular authorities in the internal affairs of the Church.

In this regard, the conversation also touched on the issues of violence and persecution to which the Church is subjected. It was emphasized that thanks to the dedicated service of the clergy and the strong faith of the people, all trials and difficulties will be overcome.

It should be noted that since May 2025, the Armenian authorities have been actively pursuing an 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. In February of this year, the Armenian Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, and he is prohibited from leaving the country. The case is based on charges of obstructing the execution of a judicial decision related to the defrocking of Arman Saroyan. Khachatur Galstyan has been appointed prosecutor in the criminal case. Several other high-ranking clergy are also implicated in the case. On August 7, Judge Hakob Manukyan, who was to preside over the first hearing of the case against His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians and six bishops, recused himself. The case was then assigned to Judge Serzh Rushanyan. The preliminary hearing of the criminal case against His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians and six bishops was held on August 28, 2026, at 4:30 PM at the Vagharshapat Court Residence in Etchmiadzin. During this hearing, the judge decided to refer the case of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six bishops to the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction. On September 3, 2026, another judge, Vahagn Melikyan, refused to hear the case against His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six bishops.