Armenia's political landscape has become tumultuous as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan finds himself embroiled in a bitter conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church. The standoff, marked by mass arrests and a controversial offer by Pashinyan, has raised tensions significantly ahead of the crucial elections scheduled for next year.
In a dramatic turn of events, Pashinyan, who has 1.1 million followers on Facebook, proposed to expose himself to both the head of the Armenian Church and his spokesman to counter claims regarding his circumcision status, which illustrates the increasingly personal nature of the dispute. This public statement came after a Facebook post from a priest in Masis likened Pashinyan to Judas and questioned his Christian faith, prompting the prime minister's unusual response.
Since his rise to power following the Velvet Revolution in 2018, Pashinyan has often used social media to communicate with the public, but the Church has emerged as a fierce opponent since Armenia's defeat in its recent war with Azerbaijan in 2020. The animosity reached new heights when allegations surfaced that the Church’s leader, Catholicos Karekin II, had fathered a child, casting doubt on his vow of celibacy. In retaliation, Pashinyan called for Karekin's replacement and accused him of damaging the country's spiritual integrity.
Supporters of Karekin rallied at Yerevan airport upon his return from a trip abroad, emphasizing solidarity and urging restraint in the face of growing tensions. Meanwhile, on the political front, the situation intensified with the detainment of 16 individuals linked to the opposition Sacred Struggle movement, accused of plotting acts of terrorism aimed at seizing power. Among those detained was Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a significant figure in anti-government protests last year, and he now faces charges of terrorism and attempting to overthrow the government.
Accusations of a coup have dominated the media, with claims of plans for organized attacks and disruption highlighting the fragile interrelation between the Church and state. The government has also targeted Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire and benefactor of the Church, who was arrested following his declarations supporting the Church amidst ongoing political strife.
As legal proceedings unfold for those detained and amidst growing national sentiment against each faction, the entire situation poses significant implications for the future of Armenia's governance and spiritual unity. Pashinyan now advocates for state control over key industries, hinting at a response to what he characterizes as threats from oligarchs aligning with church factions.
With external observers and neighboring states closely watching developments, the stakes have never been higher for both the Armenian government and the Church, as the nation navigates through its greatest political crisis in years.
