Armenia faces 'decisive times', says jailed archbishop

Imprisoned Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan on Tuesday issued a letter stating that Armenia faces “decisive times” and urging the nation to embrace a vision of “Spiritual Armenia”.

Galstanyan, who led the opposition Holy Struggle movement, described the country’s crisis as “spiritual and civilizational”, underpinning political, economic, social and environmental challenges. He dismissed current government policies as “illusory packaging” lacking real substance.

“Our struggle has always been about building the vision of Spiritual Armenia – a country of dreams realized, victories achieved, justice upheld and love and reconciliation lived,” he wrote. He contrasted this vision with what he termed the “falsehood of the so-called ‘Real Armenia’ and the illusion of peace.”

Galstanyan, who signed the letter as “Prisoner of the Homeland”, said victory was the only alternative for those fighting for Armenia’s “liberation.”

The archbishop has been a prominent critic of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government, leading rallies and marches.