In an interview with the 5th Channel, Professor Ruben Melkonyan, a Turkologist and Doctor of History, presented an in-depth and fundamental analysis, revealing processes that, in his view, are aimed at weakening the Armenian Apostolic Church, undermining national identity, and dismantling Armenia\u2019s sovereignty. He sharply criticized a number of recent statements which, he believes, seek to remove the image of the enemy from the public consciousness and weaken the state\u2019s capacity for self-defense.<\/p>\n
According to Melkonyan, the developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church are not a chain of accidental events but a systemic policy of pressure. He spoke not only of propaganda attacks, but also of direct administrative, legal, and even physical threats directed against the Church and its clergy.<\/p>\n
The professor recalled that the decision of the Supreme Patriarch to convene a meeting of bishops in Austria was motivated by real concerns:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is a clear indicator that the authorities of the Republic of Armenia are prepared to use a full range of instruments against the Church, crossing all legal red lines.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Melkonyan described as an especially dangerous precedent the attempt to change the governing bodies of the Catholicosate and subordinate spiritual authority to political power. He views this as an outrage unprecedented even during periods when the Armenian Apostolic Church existed under foreign rule.<\/p>\n
Propaganda of Violence and Impunity<\/h2>\n
Ruben Melkonyan also addressed public statements and actions containing direct elements of violence. He noted that calls by representatives of pro-government circles to \u201cstone\u201d or \u201cdestroy\u201d the Catholicos of All Armenians have gone largely unnoticed, which, in his view, amounts to intimidation tolerated at the state level.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIf an opposition figure makes any sharp statement, a criminal case is immediately initiated. If a pro-government figure publicly calls for violence, the response is silence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He also recalled instances in which representatives of local authorities interfered with Church services, restricted people\u2019s access to churches, and turned the liturgy into a political spectacle - all without any legal consequences.<\/p>\n
The Myth of \u201cReforms\u201d and Idolization<\/h2>\n
Melkonyan is convinced that actions taken against the Church are often presented under the guise of \u201creforms.\u201d In reality, he argued, these measures do not aim at spiritual renewal or self-improvement, but rather at subordinating the Church to the government.<\/p>\n
He sharply criticized recent incidents in which Church services were accompanied by applause, loud shouting, and political slogans.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOur Savior is Jesus Christ. Saviors cannot be changed in the Church, idols must not be created, and the liturgy is not a show,\u201d the professor stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Weakening the Church in the Context of Foreign Political Interests<\/h2>\n
Ruben Melkonyan examined the pressure on the Church within a broader geopolitical framework. He emphasized that the Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the key pillars of national identity, and that its weakening serves the interests of forces seeking to turn Armenia into a manageable territory populated by people deprived of their historical and cultural identity. In this context, he referred to a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe support Nikol Pashinyan\u2019s constructive policy and would like it to continue after the elections.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In Melkonyan\u2019s interpretation, the pressure exerted on the Church and Turkey\u2019s characterization of Nikol Pashinyan\u2019s policies as \u201cconstructive\u201d are links in the same chain.<\/p>\n
According to the Turkologist, there is no issue of mistranslation or hidden subtext in Fidan\u2019s words; rather, it is an open and explicit political message. For Fidan, \u201cconstructive\u201d policy means the denial of Artsakh, avoidance of the Armenian Genocide issue, the removal of Mount Ararat from national symbols, and one-sided concessions.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIf the Turkish foreign minister calls such a policy constructive, then for us, Armenians, it cannot be acceptable,\u201d Melkonyan stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He concluded by noting the absurdity of a situation in which the foreign minister of a belligerent state is portrayed as a supporter of peace, while the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church is presented as an obstacle to peace.<\/p>\n
Gegham Nazaryan: \u201cTurkey Has No Intention to Swallow Us\u201d<\/h2>\n
One of the most resonant statements made by MP Gegham Nazaryan, which, according to Melkonyan, warrants a firm and professional rebuttal, was the following:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cTurkey has no intention to swallow us. When we say such things, they ask us: how can you say so?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Nazaryan also claimed that the Armenian people \u201chave been frightened with Turks from the moment they are born,\u201d adding:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe are only now beginning to \nunderstand the meaning of peace.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Ruben Melkonyan believes that such statements reflect not only historical ignorance, but also a level of political dilettantism that he considers dangerous. He argues that Turkey\u2019s state policy toward Armenia is clearly aggressive and directed against Armenia\u2019s state interests, national identity, and historical memory \u2014 and that this, for specialists, is not a matter open to debate.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI cannot discuss whether the color of matsun [Armenian yogurt] is white,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Fake Sovereignty and Responsibility for the Choice<\/h2>\n
Melkonyan cast doubt on the claim that \u201cArmenia has never been so sovereign.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIf Armenia is truly so sovereign, why do leaders of foreign states constantly comment on Armenia\u2019s borders, elections, and Constitution?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In conclusion, the professor stated that the citizens of Armenia are left with a final, yet critically important, instrument: voting. He believes that by refusing to vote for political forces openly supported by Hakan Fidan, citizens can demonstrate a peaceful, constitutional form of resistance.<\/p>\n