Armenia's Prime Minister Engages in Controversial Rhetoric Against Church Leader

The relationships between Armenia's government and the Armenian Apostolic Church have soured dramatically after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Catholicos Karekin II of breaking his celibacy vow and fathering a child. This unprecedented public dispute highlights a deepening divide in Armenian society, amid ongoing debates over political alliances and national identity.

In a shocking escalation of tensions, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has made serious allegations against the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, igniting a political firestorm that threatens to fracture the already polarized society ahead of the 2026 elections. During a recent address, Pashinyan urged the senior clergyman to resign, claiming he violated his vow of celibacy by fathering a child. In a particularly inflammatory comment, he retorted, "Your Grace, go fool around with your uncle's wife. What do you want from me?"

This public attack on a highly respected religious figure marks a significant departure from Pashinyan's previous stance of non-interference in religious matters. The liberal government has historically clashed with the deeply conservative Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), but now the conflict may threaten the fragile coexistence between church and state in Armenia.

The Church, considered a pivotal entity in Armenian national and cultural identity, has not responded directly to the allegations but accused Pashinyan of attempting to suppress its voice. With the Armenian constitution recognizing the AAC as a national Church despite a legal separation between church and state, Pashinyan’s claims could tarnish Karekin’s eligibility to serve. However, no concrete evidence has been presented, yet Pashinyan has expressed his intent to reveal purported proof.

Political analysts suggest that these accusations might be a strategic move by the prime minister to diminish the Church's influence as opposition parties and former presidents rally behind Karekin. The opposition's support for the Church continues to grow following Pashinyan's contentious remarks, as the religious institution has increasingly become a rallying point for disenchantment with the government.

The relationship between the church and the government further deteriorated after Armenia's defeat to Azerbaijan in a 2020 war, with Karekin II emerging as an outspoken critic of Pashinyan’s leadership. Recent demands from the church about the right of return for Armenians who left Nagorno-Karabakh have only intensified the discord, clashing with the government's aim for a brittle peace settlement with Azerbaijan.

In retaliation to opposing voices, including that of billionaire Samvel Karapetyan who expressed support for the Church, the Armenian government has responded with aggressive legal action, charging him with calls to overthrow the government—a move many view as an attempt to suppress dissent.

The spiritual conflict at the heart of this debate affects not just national politics but resonates across a diaspora stretching through Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Pashinyan's recent foray into church affairs comes despite his earlier declarations that government should not interfere in ecclesiastical issues.

This development will likely further polarize the nation, which is grappling with significant political strife, divergent expectations from international powers, and tensions between ethnic Armenians in Armenia and those from Nagorno-Karabakh. As Armenia stands at a crossroads, the outcome of this tumultuous battle may redefine its political landscape and societal cohesion moving forward.