Unprecedented tensions have emerged between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Speaking at a press conference today, the Head of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Chancellery, Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, sharply criticized clergymen who have aligned themselves with the government. His remarks were not merely about internal church disputes - they signal a deepening rift in which the very identity of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) is at stake.\nBelow are key narratives from Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan\u2019s press conference:<\/p>\n
The archbishop\u2019s main argument is strikingly severe: any clergyman who cooperates with the current authorities \u201ceffectively assumes part of the responsibility for the Armenian leadership\u2019s destructive political course.\u201d This is more than simple criticism; it is an ethical indictment that elevates the political debate to the level of spiritual accountability.<\/p>\n
According to Archbishop Khachatryan, these words do not stem from personal grievance but from a fear of losing canonical integrity. For a church with a 1700-year history, safeguarding unity and apostolic succession is a matter of survival. Thus, when some hierarchs choose rapprochement with the government, it is perceived as a betrayal of centuries-old traditions.<\/p>\n
Particularly noteworthy were the remarks concerning the \u201cignoring of the Catholicos\u2019s name\u201d during the liturgy. The Archbishop stressed that this was not a minor oversight, but a deliberate rejection of the Church\u2019s authority itself. In his view, omitting the name of the head of the AAC is the first step toward creating \u201ca separate religious organization\u201d\u2014a move that signals the onset of a split.<\/p>\n
It is essential to understand that for the faithful, the name of the Catholicos is not a bureaucratic formality but a spiritual anchor. Mentioning him in prayers is a sign of loyalty to the unified Church. When this ritual is disrupted, it is not only tradition that suffers, but also the deeper sense of unity among believers.<\/p>\n
The Archbishop explained unambiguously: the Catholicos of All Armenians cannot be removed from his seat at the whim of \u201cdubious circles\u201d or even by a group of bishops. His election is the exclusive prerogative of the Church\u2013National Assembly. Therefore, any attempts at external or internal pressure are illegitimate.<\/p>\n
This emphasis on procedural clarity is not mere legal casuistry; it is a safeguard against the politicization of the Church. Amid the ongoing turbulence within the state and society, the Church seeks to preserve its autonomy by reminding all parties that its rules stand above momentary political interests.<\/p>\n
Statements about the \u201cunity of the clergy\u201d do not sound convincing. If true unity existed, then:<\/p>\n
This is not unity \u2014 it is a fa\u00e7ade behind which a real split is taking shape. When hierarchs begin dividing the faithful into \u201cinsiders\u201d and \u201coutsiders,\u201d the Church ceases to be the House of God.<\/p>\n
The Archbishop expressed concern over the lack of reaction from foreign diplomatic missions to what he described as an \u201canti-Church campaign.\u201d He called this silence \u201cstrange,\u201d suggesting that forces interested in weakening the Church may be playing a role in the unfolding events.<\/p>\n
In an era of geopolitical competition, the Church often becomes a \u201cbattleground.\u201d Its influence over society makes it a target for forces seeking to reshape Armenian identity. If foreign actors remain silent, this may suggest that:<\/p>\n
The conflict within the AAC is not merely a set of \u201cdisputes\u201d among hierarchs. It is a symptom of a profound crisis in Armenian identity. At a time when the country is searching for support and stability, the Church has traditionally served as an anchor, preventing societal fragmentation. Today, however, Nikol Pashinyan has succeeded in drawing the Church into this whirlpool of contradictions.<\/p>\n
Possible scenarios:<\/p>\n
Archbishop Khachatryan speaks not as a state official, but as someone who feels a deep responsibility for preserving centuries-old traditions. His words serve as a warning: when politics penetrates the sanctuary, everyone loses. The question now is whether the people will hear him. If the Church fails to find a way to safeguard its unity, society risks losing one of its last remaining links between the past and the future.<\/p>\n
The time for compromises has passed. The moment has come for bold decisions to protect these centuries-old traditions.<\/p>\n