Armenian Church condemns Pashinyan's words about "influence agents" in Church

The meeting of bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo: News-Armenia

On March 13, 2026, the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church declared the unacceptability of accusations made by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan against the Church during his speech in the European Parliament. This was reported by the "News-Armenia" agency.

The session of the Supreme Spiritual Council took place from March 10 to 13 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the chairmanship of Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians. During the meeting, participants discussed state-Church relations, as well as the statements made by the head of government on March 11.

The statement notes that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, speaking on March 11, 2026, in the European Parliament, used such definitions regarding the Armenian Church and clergy as "foreign agent" and "war party." According to the Supreme Spiritual Council, such wordings may be used to justify illegal actions by the authorities and possible further repressions against the Church.

Council members also condemned what they called arbitrary and discriminatory actions by Armenian authorities, including persecution of the clergy, initiation of criminal and administrative cases, and attempts to restrict the Church's activities and interfere in its internal life.

Additionally, during the session, draft laws and bylaws presented by the authorities were discussed, which, according to meeting participants, may limit the legal status of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Council emphasized that such initiatives undermine the constitutional foundations of Church-state relations, including the right to freedom of conscience and religion.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the court released the head of the Armenian Church Chancellery from custody.

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