From non-interference to push for new elections: Pashinyan's U-turn on Armenian Apostolic Church

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is unmatched when it comes to saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. One of the most notable reversals came with his declaration “Artsakh is Armenia, period", followed by signing a document that recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. This pattern of contradictions and shifting narratives has been widely documented by the media.

Pashinyan’s approach to the Armenian Apostolic Church is no exception.

In a Facebook live video on June 26, 2018, addressing calls for the ouster of Catholicos Karekin II, Pashinyan asserted: “Dear compatriots, I’ve already expressed my position on the matter and it hasn’t changed. I believe that the church and the state are separate and the state must not interfere in ecclesiastical matters. As the Armenian prime minister, I remain committed to this principle. The prime minister must not interfere in the affairs of the church – this is my position.”

Exactly seven years later, in a dramatic shift, Pashinyan announced plans to initiate pontifical elections and establish a coordinating body to oversee the process.

“Beloved faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, as one of you, I appeal to you – we must take concrete steps to liberate the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and to organize new Catholicosal elections,” he said in a social media post on Tuesday.

The statement came amid allegations against Catholicos Karekin II, accusing him of violating his vow of celibacy and fathering a child.

So, why did Nikol Pashinyan change his position so radically? Is this his own initiative, or is it influenced by the enemy state?
Is it fear of the church’s high public trust, or revenge for the use of the term “occupied Artsakh”?

These questions have been answered before and they will be answered again. What is evident, however, is the overwhelming public backlash. Beneath Pashinyan’s posts, people continue to highlight the harm done to the state, condemn his unlawful acts and express their disdain through mockery, insults and even curses, making it clear they reject his leadership and policies.