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Church in Armenia
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Look Closer

Why is there a Church-state showdown in Armenia?

Prosecutors opened a criminal case against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church on Saturday - why?

Luke Coppen
Feb 16, 2026
∙ Paid

The conflict between Church and state in Armenia escalated dramatically Saturday, when prosecutors opened a criminal case against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and barred him from leaving the country.

Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Credit: David1010/wikimedia Public Domain.

Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch…

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