Venerable priest Tade, about participation in the first session of the National Assembly. “That day will be clear”

After leaving the CP office, he answered the journalists’ question: “Will you come instead of the Catholicos on the first day of the National Assembly session?” “That day will be clear. I just don’t want to give any information. I think you can direct the question to the relevant office of the National Assembly.”

The Catholicos excommunicated this priest months ago when he joined Pashinyan’s demand to overthrow Garegin II. The former clergyman does not accept the decision of the Catholicos and does not consider himself to be ordained. Performs liturgies, which Etchmiadzin calls illegal.

The first sessions of the National Assembly of independent Armenia were opened with the blessing of the Catholicos of All Armenians. This was the case even after the 44-day war, when the Mother See urged Pashinyan to leave. The session of the parliament formed by the extraordinary elections of 2021 started with the prayer of His Holiness.

The participation of the Catholicos of All Armenians is specified in the Law on the Regulations of the National Assembly. The President of the Republic and the Catholicos have the right to address the opening of the first session. After that, the deputies are sworn in.

The session of the National Assembly of the ninth convocation will start on August 2.

Until now, it has not been announced about sending an invitation to the Catholicos.

Pashinyan’s goal to dethrone the Catholicos was also fixed in the program of his party. The pre-election program promises to remove Gareg II by 2031. Pashinyan’s campaign against the Mother See reached its peak especially in the last year. Criminal cases were initiated against the Catholicos and supporting the Mother See against the bishops: A group of high-ranking clerics have been in prison for months on various charges.