Armenian Church Condemns Government Election Plan as “Unlawful,” Warns of Threat to National Unity

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has issued a strong statement criticizing the ruling Civil Contract party over its pre-election program, warning that proposed actions related to the Armenian Apostolic Church raise serious constitutional and spiritual concerns.

In its official statement, the Mother See said it “strongly condemns the inclusion of unacceptable provisions regarding the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the pre-election program of the ‘Civil Contract’ party.” The statement outlined that the program includes plans for church reform, revising church statutes, removing the Catholicos of All Armenians, and organizing new elections for the position.

According to the Mother See, “The inclusion in the party’s pre-election program of a mandated agenda for church reform, revision of its statutes, the removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the holding of new Catholicos elections constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional order, the Church’s right to self-governance, as well as the fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion.”

The statement further argued that such proposals cross a clear boundary between the state and the Church. It warned that continuing to promote these measures during an election campaign reflects what it described as a broader ideological stance against the Church. “By once again making pre-election promises to continue clearly unlawful actions against the Church, the ruling political force further demonstrates the anti-church nature and objectives of its ideology,” the statement said.

The Mother See emphasized the historical and spiritual role of the Armenian Apostolic Church, describing it as an institution with a thousand-year mission that should not be drawn into political processes. “The thousand-year mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, its sacred traditions, and spiritual life must not become a subject of political manipulation,” the statement reads.

It also reiterated that internal decisions within the Church, including leadership changes and reforms, are governed by religious law and tradition rather than political authority. “As the Mother See has repeatedly affirmed, the election of the Catholicos and any reforms within the Church belong exclusively to the spiritual and canonical domain, and therefore fall outside the authority of political parties and state institutions.”

The statement concluded with a broader warning about the potential impact of such policies, stating that they could harm national unity and values. “The adopted unlawful course of action is harmful to the nation and absolutely unacceptable. It contradicts the interests of our worldwide people, threatens the foundations of the national value system, and undermines spiritual security,” it said.

The response from the Church comes as Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that discussions on church reform remain active within the government’s agenda. Speaking during a government briefing on April 9, he said the Council for Church Reform continues its work and remains in constant communication.

“That agenda has been included in the pre-election program of the ‘Civil Contract’ party. I believe it is very fair that we submit this issue to the judgment of the people, and the elections will have very concrete consequences,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier this year, on January 4, Pashinyan and ten bishops signed a joint statement titled “On the Reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” The statement announced the creation of a coordinating council, which would handle organizational matters related to the reform process.

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