Analyst: Pashinyan aims to create impression of strong church support

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to attend a service at Yerevan’s Saint Gregory the Illuminator Church on Sunday.

The service will be led by Archbishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, head of the Armenian Diocese of the Baltic States, at the invitation of the church’s spiritual overseer, Archbishop Anoushavan Zhamkochyan.

Political analyst Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan of the Voskanapat Analytical Center suggested that the visit could be a “propaganda exercise” aimed at creating the impression of strong church support through the participation of a small group of clergy.

Archbishop Mirzakhanyan faced criticism earlier this year after warmly receiving Pashinyan at Tallinn’s Armenian Church in April, blessing his policies, and expressing support for Armenia’s European integration efforts. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin later clarified that his remarks were personal, did not represent the church, and warned against politicizing clergy statements.