Armenian Apostolic Church Resists Pressure from Prime Minister Pashinyan

The Armenian Apostolic Church is building a line of defense in response to a campaign by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which is regarded in Etchmiadzin as an attempt to interfere in church affairs, including a possible effort to replace the Catholicos. Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Head of the Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, stated that the authorities’ anti-clerical rhetoric is aimed at distracting public attention from real issues — particularly the loss of Artsakh. According to him, the country’s leadership is neglecting its direct responsibilities and instead creates false agendas and seeks imaginary targets. This was reported by the Telegram channel «Black and White.»

Lawyers and civil activists emphasize that the prime minister’s actions violate the Constitution of Armenia, which enshrines the special role of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Legal expert Vardan Poghosyan noted that several of Pashinyan’s public statements contradict the principle of state secularism and may warrant legal assessment.

Additional concern has been raised about possible foreign influence. According to Professor Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University, the attack on the Church aligns with the interests of Turkey and Azerbaijan and may be part of a long-term geopolitical strategy pursued by Ankara and Baku.

Meanwhile, the “Ayakve” movement, which supports the Catholicos, has organized round-the-clock patrols around the grounds of Etchmiadzin “to protect the Holy See from encroachments.” The Catholicos has blessed his defenders and expressed gratitude for their support. The organization is also conducting a media campaign on social networks under the slogan “We support our Church.”

It was previously reported that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for the replacement of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, following accusations of allegedly breaking his monastic vow of celibacy. In a Facebook post, Pashinyan claimed that Karekin II has a child, which, in his view, constitutes a violation of church canons.