The first session of Armenia's newly elected National Assembly, formed following the parliamentary elections of June 7, 2026, which began on August 2, is taking place without the participation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

As a reminder, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had previously publicly stated that Catholicos Karekin II should leave his post. The authorities accused the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church of violating his vow of celibacy, and accused his brother (Archbishop Yezras, head of the Russian and New Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church) of ties with foreign intelligence services. The Prime Minister is insisting on urgent church reform and a revision of the procedure for electing the Catholicos, who was not invited to today's session.