Armenia's Political Turmoil Deepens as PM Engages in Public Feud with Church Leaders

As tensions rise ahead of pivotal elections, Armenia's Prime Minister faces off against the Armenian Apostolic Church, culminating in mass arrests and controversial statements. A clash of political and spiritual leadership threatens the country's stability amid public assertions by Pashinyan to prove his faith.

In a surprising twist to an ongoing conflict, Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has found himself embroiled in a bitter clash with the Armenian Apostolic Church, following a series of explosive allegations and mass arrests. This escalating drama, occurring ahead of critical elections next year, has seen Pashinyan offer to expose himself to church leaders to refute claims regarding his circumcision and Christian faith.

With over 1.1 million followers on Facebook, Pashinyan has become reliant on social media to disseminate his message since he assumed office after the Velvet Revolution of 2018. The current tensions stem from accusations against Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, suggesting he has broken his vow of celibacy and fathered a child. This allegation led Pashinyan to demand Karekin's resignation, igniting further discord between state and religious authorities.

Father Zareh Ashuryan, a priest from the town of Masis, asserted that Pashinyan’s alleged circumcision made him akin to Judas, thus challenging his faith and leadership. The Prime Minister's provocative response came after Ashuryan's comments became public, showcasing the church's emerging role as an outspoken critic of Pashinyan's government, particularly following Armenia's defeat in the 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan.

The political atmosphere alarmingly intensified when Armenian security forces detained 16 individuals, including a prominent archbishop and opposition figures, accusing them of plotting to seize power. The opposition has decried these arrests as a means of political suppression. Among those detained is Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire businessman with close ties to the church, who has rallied support for its cause, reinforcing the complex overlap of business interests and religious authority in Armenia's political landscape.

In a bid to gain further control, Pashinyan has signaled intentions to nationalize Karapetyan's Electric Networks of Armenia, demonstrating his commitment to altering the influence of powerful figures in the region. As the tensions between the church, state, and key figures heighten, the country watches closely, fearing for its stability as history seems to echo the specter of past conflicts.