Pashinyan: Authorities will not allow KGB agents to lead the Armenian Church
ArmInfo. During a government session on January 21, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the Church must not interfere in state affairs and that the state would not tolerate "KGB agents" at the helm of the national church. The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a question from opposition MP Garnik Danielyan regarding alleged government interference in church affairs.
He emphasized that while the Constitution separates the church from the state, the government has a duty to protect national security. He alleged that certain segments of the clergy are being used to spread "anti-state propaganda" and warned that these activities are expected to intensify ahead of the June 2026 elections.
"We never envisioned that the church should be led by KGB agents," Pashinyan stated. He argued that current ecclesiastical decisions-specifically the removal of popular bishops who have successfully gathered large congregations-are politically motivated and that the government "does not intend to recognize such decisions."
"Your Ktrich Nersisyan is an apostate. Those who join the church reforms acknowledge their guilt, including me, and absolution is a core principle of Christianity. There is a procedure for seeking forgiveness. Apparently, you don't have such a need, and I congratulate you on that," the Prime Minister stated.
He emphasized that while the Constitution separates the church from the state, the government has a duty to protect national security. He alleged that certain segments of the clergy are being used to spread "anti-state propaganda" and warned that these activities are expected to intensify ahead of the June 2026 elections.
"We never envisioned that the church should be led by KGB agents," Pashinyan stated. He argued that current ecclesiastical decisions-specifically the removal of popular bishops who have successfully gathered large congregations-are politically motivated and that the government "does not intend to recognize such decisions."
"Your Ktrich Nersisyan is an apostate. Those who join the church reforms acknowledge their guilt, including me, and absolution is a core principle of Christianity. There is a procedure for seeking forgiveness. Apparently, you don't have such a need, and I congratulate you on that," the Prime Minister stated.