Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, presenting the five-year program of Armenia’s new government, on Monday announced in the National Assembly (NA) that a report on the “deep crisis” in the Armenian Apostolic Church was being prepared on his instructions.

During his address, Pashinyan three times called Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II by his birth name, Ktrich Nersisyan, to which the opposition lawmakers responded by banging on the desks. In response, virtually all MPs of the ruling “Civil Contract” Faction applauded.

NA speaker Ruben Rubinyan called for calm several times.

It should be noted that there is no mention of “Ktrich Nersisyan” in the Armenian passport of Catholicos Karekin II. There he is registered exactly as “Karekin II.” In addition, according to the constitution of Armenia, spiritual authorities in Armenia are separate from secular authorities in the country.

At the August 20 Cabinet session, the government's program for 2026–2031 was approved, which, in addition to provisions related to the economy, domestic and foreign policy, includes a separate chapter on "Spiritual Security," where the "reform" of the Armenian Apostolic Church is presented as a vital necessity.