Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Sends Silent Protest, Shuns Pashinyan Visit in Istanbul

During Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s visit to Istanbul on June 20, the doors of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople remained shut. The reason? According to the Patriarch himself, it was both a matter of protocol and protest.

Patriarch Sahak Mashalyan explained in a recent press conference that the closure of the Patriarchate during the Prime Minister’s visit was not accidental. The Armenian government had failed to submit any official request or communication regarding Pashinyan’s desire to visit the church. More importantly, the closure was also a deliberate gesture of "silent protest" in response to Pashinyan’s ongoing public attacks on the Catholicos of All Armenians, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Tensions between the Armenian government and the Church have been rising sharply since late May. The crisis began when Prime Minister Pashinyan openly questioned the celibacy vow of Catholicos Karekin II and even called for his resignation. He then began sharing social media posts aimed at discrediting the Catholicos, targeting his personal life in a way that many see as deeply disrespectful to the Church and its followers.

For many Armenians, the Church is more than just a religious institution—it is a pillar of Armenian identity, culture, and survival. From the days of genocide and exile to the rebuilding of communities across the diaspora, the Armenian Church has offered spiritual leadership, unity, and strength. Any attack on its moral authority is seen by many as an attack on Armenian heritage itself.

In his remarks, Patriarch Mashalyan made it clear that had he been in Turkey at the time of the visit—instead of in the United States—he would have personally addressed the Prime Minister face-to-face. But the decision not to send any clergy to greet Pashinyan was intentional. It was a message that the spiritual leadership of the Armenian people will not remain silent in the face of disrespect or state pressure.

The silence from the Patriarchate on June 20 spoke louder than words. The Church’s absence during Pashinyan’s meeting with the Armenian community in Istanbul made headlines. Media reports noted that the Patriarchate had been closed so that it would not be forced into the awkward position of hosting a Prime Minister who had openly dishonored its highest religious figure.

This incident reflects a deeper divide between the government in Yerevan and the Church that has long been a cornerstone of Armenian national life. Many in the diaspora are watching with alarm as the Armenian state drifts further from its traditional institutions. For a people that have survived centuries of hardship by holding tightly to faith and family, the Prime Minister’s feud with the Church feels not only unnecessary but dangerous.

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