Pashinyan Orders Arrest of Senior Church Leader, Chaos Erupts as Masked Forces Storm Holy Etchmiadzin

A crisis is unfolding in Armenia as the government continues its aggressive crackdown on the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the most ancient institutions of the Armenian nation. The latest standoff between church supporters and security forces took place in the spiritual heart of the country—Holy Etchmiadzin—where authorities attempted to arrest another high-ranking archbishop. The Armenian Report has been on the ground covering the events since the early morning hours, documenting the growing tensions and resistance.

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On Friday, June 27, Armenian security forces raided the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Church. Their goal was to arrest Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, a religious leader and open critic of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This came just two days after another archbishop was detained under similar accusations of “calling for a coup,” in what many now view as a targeted political campaign against the clergy.

Ajapahian, who leads the Shirak Diocese in northwestern Armenia, was charged with making public calls for the violent overthrow of the government—a charge connected to remarks he made during an interview back in February 2024. Despite the time gap of 16 months, the authorities waited until now to pursue legal action, fueling growing suspicion that the charges are politically motivated.

As masked agents of the National Security Service (NSS) stormed the holy grounds in Etchmiadzin, they were met with resistance—not just from fellow priests, but from ordinary citizens who had come to defend their spiritual leaders. The Mother See, a sacred site for all Armenians, was surrounded by hundreds of troops, special police units, and security vehicles. Protesters stood their ground, physically blocking officers from taking Archbishop Ajapahian away.

While Ajapahian expressed his readiness to go peacefully, saying “I am not going to hide… I don’t want to hide behind my brother’s backs,” it was the church community who refused to allow what they saw as an unjust arrest. "I'm not a threat to this country. The threat sits in the government," he declared, calling Pashinyan a “madman.”

Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Church, was present at the scene, trying to calm the situation while tensions ran high. Ultimately, security forces were forced to retreat without carrying out the arrest, a symbolic moment that showed the strength and unity of the church and its followers.

Later in the day, Archbishop Ajapahian, with his fellow clergy and loyal supporters, began marching on foot toward Yerevan and the Investigative Committee. The people who had blocked his arrest hours earlier now walked beside him, not in resistance, but in peaceful solidarity.

Earlier in the day, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan had read the official arrest warrant issued by the Investigative Committee. According to Armenian prosecutors, criminal charges were filed on June 17, 2025, under Article 422 of the Criminal Code—accusing the archbishop of making statements that allegedly called for the seizure of power and disruption of Armenia’s constitutional order.

Yet Ajapahian’s legal team maintains that he was never summoned for questioning and had never gone into hiding. His lawyer, Mihran Poghosyan, made it clear that Ajapahian was “available” to investigators all along.

The escalation of the conflict between the government and the church is sparking serious concern among Armenians at home and in the diaspora. The sight of masked security forces entering sacred church grounds has shocked many and raised serious questions about the state of freedom and democracy in the country.

The church has long been a pillar of Armenian identity—surviving genocide, Soviet rule, and wars. To see it now treated as a threat by its own government is deeply painful for many Armenians who view the Church not as a political enemy but as a spiritual and national guardian.

This morning’s chaos did not end in bloodshed, but the images of the confrontation at Etchmiadzin, the forced entry at the Shirak Diocese, and the use of criminal law against clerics will leave a lasting impact. Whether this campaign against the clergy continues or not, one thing is clear: the Armenian Church is not alone. Its followers, both clergy and laypeople, are standing firm.

In the words of Archbishop Ajapahian, “I’m not a threat to this country.” For many, the real danger lies in a government that sees its own spiritual leaders as enemies.

As he marches to Yerevan, the world watches—and Armenians everywhere are reminded that faith, unity, and courage still walk hand in hand.

This is a developing story. The Armenian Report remains on the ground. Check back for updates.

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