The political situation in Armenia has once again escalated amid a public conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the spiritual leader of the country, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. For the first time in modern Armenian history, the secular and religious authorities are openly clashing, exchanging mutual accusations and demanding each other's resignation.

The escalation was triggered by recent statements from the Catholicos, in which he sharply criticized the government’s policies, accusing Pashinyan of undermining Armenian identity and abandoning traditional values. In response, the Prime Minister issued an equally harsh statement, describing the Church as an “instrument of the past” obstructing progress, and effectively called on the Catholicos to step down “in the interest of national renewal.”

Since coming to power in 2018 through the "Velvet Revolution", Pashinyan’s administration has pursued a course of modernization, secularization, and pro-Western reforms. This has strained relations with the Armenian Apostolic Church – one of the oldest religious institutions in the world, which has traditionally played a key role in Armenian national identity and politics.

Tensions intensified after the government reduced funding for theological schools and criticized public statements by church leaders on foreign policy – particularly regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia’s relationship with Russia.

Armenia is a small nation facing mounting external pressure from Azerbaijan and Turkey. A domestic conflict between the government and the Church is a luxury Yerevan cannot afford. It weakens social cohesion, especially under external threats. While its influence among younger generations is diminishing, the Armenian Apostolic Church maintains strong ties with the diaspora, war veterans, and the conservative segment of society. The conflict with Pashinyan effectively positions the Church as an opposition force.

However, this confrontation may also be part of a strategic maneuver: Pashinyan is likely attempting to mobilize liberal-leaning voters and divert attention from criticism over agreements with Azerbaijan and ongoing economic difficulties. The Church becomes a convenient “internal enemy” against which he can strengthen his image as a reformer.

Such developments reflect a broader shift in the model of governance in post-Soviet states. In Georgia and Moldova, the Church has also increasingly been drawn into political discourse. Armenia is now moving toward a radical separation of religion and politics – a path that is inherently confrontational and fraught with instability.

Possible future scenarios include:

• Attempts to remove the Catholicos using parliamentary mechanisms, which could spark protests and outrage within the Armenian diaspora;
• A split within the Church itself, if part of the clergy sides with Pashinyan;
• The emergence of new opposition alliances, bringing together conservatives, veterans, and critics of the government’s reforms.

At present, Armenia finds itself in a situation where two key centers of legitimacy – the state and the Church – are engaged in a struggle for moral and political leadership. In a time of public distrust and external challenges, this conflict could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s future.

#ARMENIA

28.07.2025 09:30