The end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 in the Republic of Armenia held great symbolism.

 For the first time since gaining independence, Armenia celebrated the New Year without the remnants of the separatist group 'Artsakh' on Azerbaijani territory. As of 1 January 2024, the separatist group 'Artsakh' has formally dissolved and liquidated itself.

On the eve of the New Year, it was announced that the Public TV of Armenia would not be airing the New Year address of the Catholicos of all Hayes, marking the first time in the history of independent Armenia. On the eve of the New Year, it was announced that the Public TV of Armenia would not be airing the New Year address of the Catholicos of all Hayes, marking the first time in the history of independent Armenia. The Armenian authorities have officially refused to broadcast the traditional address.

“It is unfortunate that we will have to face an unpleasant incident this year. On New Year's Eve, it has been a tradition since the time of Vazgen I (Catholicos of All Hayes 1955-1994), for the patriarch's address to be broadcast on Public Television immediately before the address of the head of the country. The press office of Echmiadzin has stated that Public Television informed them at the last minute that the Patriarch's New Year's address would not be broadcast before midnight, as is tradition.

Public TV had suggested broadcasting the address during the evening edition of 'News', but this proposal was rejected as inappropriate.

The Armenian ( Hay) Apostolic Church (AAC) of Etchmiadzin and Nikol Pashinyan's government have had strained relations since 2018. The AAC, led by Catholicos Karekin II, has criticised the Armenian authorities for their policy on the Karabakh issue, accusing them of insufficient support for the so-called 'Artsakh' and inadequate efforts to maintain the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. After the 44-day defeat, Echmiadzin accused Pashinyan of surrendering to the separatists and called on the Armenian leadership to resign."

Since the beginning of 2024, Hayes no longer has the support of either 'Artsakh' or the 'television blessing' of Garegin II. The diminishing role of Echmiadzin in Armenian politics is a natural consequence of the transformation of the 'Armenian project', which was created by external forces, including the Vatican.

At one time, Echmiadzin played a key role in promoting Hayan nationalism.

In addition to drugging ethnic Hayes and other ethnic groups of the Armenian-Gregorian faith with historical myths about 'great Armenia', there has been an attempt to influence Hai politics and elites through the Vatican, which is the de facto caretaker of Echmiadzin, either through its association with France or directly. Echmiadzin, which is closely linked to Russia and the Russian security services, has largely played its role and is no longer needed. Moreover, it appears to be too conservative when compared to the liberalisation of the Catholic Church being implemented by Pope Francis.

Echmiadzin does not fit into the new geopolitical schemes that the new government seeks to integrate Armenia into. The authorities in Yerevan plan to cooperate with India, which is expected to replace Russia as Armenia's primary supporter and protector. If forming an alliance with Russia, there was an emphasis on 'Christian solidarity' and Echmiadzin was important. However, in relations with India, Hay's 'Christianity' is unnecessary.

It is well known that Christians in India are often discriminated against and persecuted, sometimes to the same extent as Muslims. The Hay nationalists use factors such as common Islamophobia, common Aryan origin, and common exceptional antiquity as a means of rapprochement with India, but not Christianity.

It is important to note that Echmiadzin will remain a significant part of Armenian politics and may attract extreme revanchist forces, particularly those with claims to Georgia.

It is important to note that Echmiadzin has made official claims to at least 442 Georgian churches on Georgian territory and is not willing to relinquish them. Additionally, they have made claims to Azerbaijani Karabakh and Georgian Samtskhe-Javakheti, which are referred to as 'ancestral Armenian lands' by Hay nationalists and revanchists.

This statement was made by Alexandre Gedevanov (Gedevanishvili)