Archbishop Abraham Mkrtchyan, one of the senior clergy who publicly aligned with Pashinyan’s campaign for “church reforms” and the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II, has stepped down from his position as Primate of the Vayots Dzor Diocese after submitting written and verbal requests to retire, according to a Patriarchal decree issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on March 16, 2026.
The decree, issued by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, formally releases Archbishop Mkrtchyan from his duties and calls him to retirement.
In the same decision, Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Primate of the Syunik Diocese, has been appointed locum tenens of the Vayots Dzor Diocese, temporarily assuming responsibility for the diocese while continuing to lead the Syunik Diocese.
Mkrtchyan had previously been among a group of ten high-ranking clergy who supported calls for “church reforms” and the resignation of the Catholicos, amid an escalating political campaign targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church.
That campaign has included public accusations against church leadership and calls by Pashinyan for citizens to pressure clergy during Divine Liturgy to omit the Catholicos’s name from prayers, moves widely criticized by church supporters as political interference in ecclesiastical affairs.
Mkrtchyan’s departure marks a notable leadership change in the Vayots Dzor Diocese as tensions surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church and Pashinyan’s campaign against its leadership continue.
