**This political row could impact governance, societal divisions, and the upcoming elections as Pashinyan escalates his conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church.**
**Political Turmoil in Armenia: PM Accuses Church Leader of Scandalous Allegations**
**Political Turmoil in Armenia: PM Accuses Church Leader of Scandalous Allegations**
**Tensions rise as Armenia's Prime Minister calls for the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II amidst scandalous claims of fathering a child.**
Armenia is facing a dramatic political crisis as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has made shocking accusations against Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). In a bold departure from his previous pledge to avoid interferences in religious matters, Pashinyan has demanded the resignation of Karekin II, alleging that he has broken his vow of celibacy and fathered a child. The Prime Minister's incendiary comments—including a jibe about “fooling around”—have ignited a contentious political atmosphere in a nation already fraught with deep divides.
Historically, the AAC has held significant sway in Armenian society as the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion over 1,700 years ago. Although formal separation of church and state exists, Armenia's constitution recognizes the AAC as the national church, complicating the relationship between the government and religious institutions. Prior to this escalation, Pashinyan and Karekin II had maintained a cooperative facade, attending joint public functions and even risking the front lines together.
The consequences of this discord could reverberate beyond Armenia, particularly impacting ongoing peace negotiations with Azerbaijan, especially after the contentious defeat in the 2020 war. The Prime Minister’s accusations, though not backed by public evidence, have prompted backlash from opposition parties and former presidents who align themselves with Karekin. Many view the Prime Minister's rhetoric as an attempt to diminish the Church's growing role as a dissenting voice against his government.
In a surprising turn, Karekin II has expressed concern that Pashinyan seeks to silence the Church, maintaining that the government has no authority over ecclesiastical matters. Observers believe the Prime Minister’s recent challenge to the Church might be a preemptive tactic against a conservative opposition that could seriously threaten his hold in the upcoming election scheduled for June 2026.
The tensions have escalated further with the involvement of Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire supportive of the Church. After warning against perceived injustices towards the AAC, Karapetyan faced swift governmental repercussions, indicating a crackdown on dissent which may alienate more voters.
Despite continuing allegations surrounding Karekin, the Armenian Church maintains its popularity among its supporters, posing a significant challenge for Pashinyan as he navigates a complex political terrain marked by internal rivalries, opposition pressures, and the overarching conflict with Azerbaijan. The outcomes of this political saga will likely reinforce existing societal fractures while determining the future of both political leadership and their relationship with the church.
Historically, the AAC has held significant sway in Armenian society as the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion over 1,700 years ago. Although formal separation of church and state exists, Armenia's constitution recognizes the AAC as the national church, complicating the relationship between the government and religious institutions. Prior to this escalation, Pashinyan and Karekin II had maintained a cooperative facade, attending joint public functions and even risking the front lines together.
The consequences of this discord could reverberate beyond Armenia, particularly impacting ongoing peace negotiations with Azerbaijan, especially after the contentious defeat in the 2020 war. The Prime Minister’s accusations, though not backed by public evidence, have prompted backlash from opposition parties and former presidents who align themselves with Karekin. Many view the Prime Minister's rhetoric as an attempt to diminish the Church's growing role as a dissenting voice against his government.
In a surprising turn, Karekin II has expressed concern that Pashinyan seeks to silence the Church, maintaining that the government has no authority over ecclesiastical matters. Observers believe the Prime Minister’s recent challenge to the Church might be a preemptive tactic against a conservative opposition that could seriously threaten his hold in the upcoming election scheduled for June 2026.
The tensions have escalated further with the involvement of Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire supportive of the Church. After warning against perceived injustices towards the AAC, Karapetyan faced swift governmental repercussions, indicating a crackdown on dissent which may alienate more voters.
Despite continuing allegations surrounding Karekin, the Armenian Church maintains its popularity among its supporters, posing a significant challenge for Pashinyan as he navigates a complex political terrain marked by internal rivalries, opposition pressures, and the overarching conflict with Azerbaijan. The outcomes of this political saga will likely reinforce existing societal fractures while determining the future of both political leadership and their relationship with the church.
