Armenia is facing a significant political crisis as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan finds himself embroiled in a bitter feud with the Armenian Apostolic Church. This escalating tension has resulted in mass arrests, allegations of coup plotting, and an extraordinary offer from Pashinyan to expose himself to church authorities to demonstrate his Christian faith.
In a Facebook post addressing his 1.1 million followers, Pashinyan declared his willingness to reveal himself to the head of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Karekin II, in response to accusations from a local priest in Masis suggesting Pashinyan was not a true Christian due to claims of having been circumcised.
Pashinyan, who rose to power following Armenia's Velvet Revolution in 2018, is preparing for crucial elections next year while the Church has taken on a more prominent anti-government role since the nation’s defeat in the 2020 war against Azerbaijan. The conflict began escalating in late May when Pashinyan publicly accused Karekin II of breaching his celibacy vows by fathering a child, which the church did not directly address. Instead, the Church accused Pashinyan of undermining Armenia's spiritual unity.
Tensions further intensified when governmental media circulated claims about the Catholicos's alleged daughter following a recent trip to the UAE, leading to protests in favor of Karekin II upon his return. Meanwhile, recent crackdowns saw the arrest of 16 individuals, including senior cleric Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, on charges linked to alleged terrorism and an opposition coup involving influential figures, including billionaire Samvel Karapetyan.
The situation has raised concerns regarding political persecution, as those arrested included notable opposition members and have been associated with more significant protests against Pashinyan’s administration. After asserting this group planned widespread violence and unrest, the accusations seem to have sparked fears of civil strife amidst a backdrop of national discontent.
Karapetyan, a prominent benefactor of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was arrested following a public statement of support for the Church, indicating a potential intertwining with politics that further complicates the unfolding drama. As the Prime Minister moves to nationalize key sectors, including Karapetyan's energy company, the Armenian public is left grappling with uncertainty, apprehensive about political instability and the implications for the nation’s direction amidst heightened tensions with both the Church and influential elites.
