“Will You Replace God with Allah?” — Journalist Confronts Pashinyan in Turkish Over Artsakh, Church Attacks, and Leadership Failures

On July 16, 2025, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held yet another long and controversial press conference in Yerevan, which left many Armenians frustrated and alarmed. Instead of addressing the nation’s urgent issues with clarity and humility, Pashinyan once again lashed out at the Armenian Apostolic Church and dodged tough questions about national security, the Artsakh conflict, and his increasingly authoritarian leadership style.

At the center of the uproar was a fiery exchange between the Prime Minister and journalist Hripsime Jebejyan. Her question focused on three sensitive topics: Pashinyan’s recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, his use of text messages to dismiss top officials, and his repeated attacks against the Armenian Church. She ended her question by asking whether Pashinyan, after replacing bishops and surrendering land, might one day replace God Himself — finishing her sharp critique in Turkish.

"Is it possible that one day you’ll be informed that God has children, and you’ll decide it’s time to replace God — and propose, for example, Allah as a candidate?" 

Rather than reflecting on the serious nature of the question, Pashinyan launched into a defensive and theatrical response. He claimed Jesus Christ was his “relative, teacher, and identity” and then shifted the focus back to the Catholicos, once again accusing him of violating celibacy and suggesting that his alleged child might one day inherit the entire property of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

This was not the first time the Prime Minister used a national press conference to attack the Church. Over the past year, Pashinyan has repeatedly tried to undermine the authority of one of Armenia’s oldest and most respected institutions. By accusing the Catholicos of personal misconduct and framing the Church’s property as a potential inheritance for a private heir, Pashinyan continues to blur the lines between political power and spiritual tradition.

His comments are widely seen as part of a broader campaign to silence critics and dismantle any structure — including the Church — that can serve as a counterbalance to his power. Critics argue that Pashinyan has become increasingly isolated and paranoid, responding to any challenge with personal attacks or conspiratorial claims rather than serious engagement.

More troubling to many Armenians is the fact that while the Prime Minister fixates on religious controversies, he has failed to provide accountability for the decisions that led to the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh — a region with deep historical and cultural ties to Armenia. His recognition of Karabakh (Artsakh) as part of Azerbaijan, without public consultation or clear legal justification, remains one of the most painful moments in Armenia’s modern history.

That loss was followed by the quiet dismissal of key officials, not through official channels or public explanation, but through text messages — a move that further undermined institutional integrity and transparency.

Now, instead of showing remorse or national unity, Pashinyan is attacking religious leaders and making inflammatory statements in front of the press. For a leader who once promised transparency, democracy, and national dignity, this latest performance felt like yet another betrayal.

While Pashinyan tries to reframe the narrative by talking about faith and doctrine, many Armenians see through the distraction. The real issue isn’t theological — it’s about trust, leadership, and accountability.

And in those areas, the Prime Minister continues to fall dangerously short.

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