Tensions between Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church have escalated dramatically, with serious allegations, mass detentions, and a controversial offer from Pashinyan to prove his Christian faith. As church-state relations deteriorate, the country braces for pivotal elections next year.
Armenia's Political Crisis Deepens Amid Controversial Allegations Against Church Leader
Armenia's Political Crisis Deepens Amid Controversial Allegations Against Church Leader
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church are embroiled in a heated conflict, involving dramatic claims and recent mass arrests.
In an escalating political crisis, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is at odds with the Armenian Apostolic Church, a conflict that has led to mass arrests, grave accusations of a coup attempt, and startling personal offers from the prime minister. This week, Pashinyan proposed to publicly expose himself to the head of the Church, Catholicos Karekin II, to demonstrate his Christian faith amidst claims he has been circumcised—an allegation originally made by a priest that incited outrage.
Pashinyan's dramatic proclamation was relayed to his 1.1 million social media followers, escalating tensions following significant losses during the 2020 war with Azerbaijan. Since his rise to power through the 2018 Velvet Revolution, Pashinyan has employed social media as a key platform for communication and engagement with the public.
The conflict first surfaced publicly in late May, when Pashinyan accused Karekin II of breaking his celibacy vow and fathering a child, thereby calling for his resignation. The Church responded without addressing the allegations about celibacy, instead accusing the prime minister of jeopardizing Armenia's spiritual integrity. Government-affiliated media even disseminated purported details about Karekin II's alleged daughter while the prime minister organized a group to prepare for the Church leader's succession, defying constitutional provisions meant to separate Church and state.
As tensions peaked, Karekin II returned from an overseas trip to supportive crowds chanting for him, calling for unity and healing amidst the unrest. However, law enforcement moved swiftly, detaining 16 individuals, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent opposition figure. They face serious accusations of planning terrorist acts to overthrow the government, claims that have been denounced by the detainees' legal teams as politically motivated.
The situation intensified with the arrest of business mogul Samvel Karapetyan, a notable supporter of the Church, who has been charged with inciting a coup. Following his arrest, signals of support for him emerged from Russia, intensifying concerns of external influence in Armenia as political tensions mount. Pashinyan has announced plans to nationalize key assets linked to Karapetyan, signaling potential government intervention.
This deepening rift between the Armenian state and the Apostolic Church, marked by extraordinary claims and significant political maneuvers, sets the stage for a natural reckoning in upcoming elections, as citizens and political factions alike grapple with profound implications for the nation’s unity and future.
