The ROC accused the Armenian authorities of exceeding their authority because of threats against the church

Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, sharply criticized the Armenian authorities, accusing them of exceeding their authority and attacking the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). The statement was a reaction to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s threats to seize state-owned churches from the church.

According to Armenia Today, citing the archpriest’s interview with RIA Novosti, the Armenian authorities have launched a campaign against national spiritual foundations. «It seems that the current leader of the Armenian government has decided to engage in an unequal struggle against national spiritual foundations and for this purpose is resorting to persecution and insulting church hierarchs, » Archpriest Nikolai Balashov said. He also suggested that this anti-church campaign might be inspired by external forces.

The representative of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized that the government’s actions violate the Armenian Constitution, which guarantees the autonomy of the Church and freedom of religion. According to him, the Basic Law of the country recognizes «the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church as the national church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people». Threats to seize church buildings go against this provision and the fact that the Church is separated from the state by law.

In conclusion, the priest noted that attacks on the Church contradict the historical and spiritual traditions of the Armenian people and, as history shows, «inevitably lead to the defeat of those who fight against faith».

Recall that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a high-profile statement declaring Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II deprived of his dignity and accusing him of breaking his vow of celibacy and seizing the patriarchal throne. This statement, made in Parliament, testifies to the unprecedented aggravation of relations between the state authorities and the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), which has lasted for several months and is accompanied by criminal cases against a number of high-ranking clergymen.