Politician slams Pashinyan's anti-church campaign

Opposition politician Eduard Sharmazanov, a senior member of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), has lambasted Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for his recent remarks targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church and its spiritual leader, Catholicos Karekin II.

“Who are you to call for the resignation of the Catholicos?” Sharmazanov wrote on Facebook on Monday. “Our church was founded by the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. The Catholicos of All Armenians sits on the sacred throne of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.”

Sharmazanov said Catholicos Karekin II “is anointed by God”, questioning Pashinyan’s authority to challenge it.

“Who are you?” he asked. “You are someone advancing the agenda of Azerbaijan and Turkey.”

Sharmazanov accused Pashinyan of actively working to implement a plan to turn Armenia into "Western Azerbaijan", claiming that the Armenian Apostolic Church stands as a major obstacle to the agenda.

"By targeting our church, you are challenging the Armenian nation and its history," he said, drawing parallels with the ancient Armenian legend of Hayk’s victory over the tyrant Bel.

“Bel rose against Hayk and was destroyed. Are you next to try?” Sharmazanov added.

He called for unwavering public support for the Armenian Apostolic Church and Catholicos Karekin II.