STATEMENT

In recent days, we have been witnessing yet another dangerous step by the acting collaborationist regime, aimed at deepening systematic pressure against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. In particular, the Defense Ministry’s recent suspension of the spiritual services provided by the Chaplains in the Army, has caused a deep concern of yet another degeneration artificially created by the authorities. The Chaplains for many years have served the servicemen in the Army, standing by their side during the most difficult moments of service, throughout wartime and post-war trials and tribulations. This step constitutes a blow to the spiritual security of the soldiers and will lead to the weakening of the spiritual and moral environment within the Army.

At the same time, we consider the artificially initiated criminal cases against the high ranking Clergy, to be highly condemnable since the obvious purpose of such actions is to restrict the freedom of movement of the senior Clergy of the Church, in order to prevent their participation in the Episcopal Assembly scheduled to take place in Austria. This is a blatant interference in the internal governance of the Church and its canonical life in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

All these actions against the Church orchestrated by Nikol Pashinyan’s regime under the disguise of “church reform, have only one purpose of striping the Church of its independence, authority and national mission, and transforming it into a subordinate “pocket” structure of Pashinyan.

The Constitution of the Republic of Armenia clearly enshrines the principle of the separation of Church and State. The State is not authorized to interfere in matters of the Church’s governance, internal discipline and spiritual life. The current actions constitute a gross violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and of internationally recognized principles of Human Rights related to Freedom of Religion and its exercise. These steps aimed at weakening the Armenian Church unmistakably and intentionally coincide with the anti-Armenian agendas of the enemies of Armenia who are interested in the erosion of the foundational pillars of the Armenian identity. For centuries, the Armenian Apostolic Church has been a central and main institution of the Armenian people’s existence, resistance and identity, and any attack against it is a blow against the entire Nation.

We call upon the Civil Society and Armenia’s International Partners to be proactive and raise their voice to give a clear assessment of this dangerous policy being carried out against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Armenian society must remain vigilant in the face of existing dangers and continue to remain faithful to the Apostolic Church and its leadership.

Council of
National Democratic Alliance

February 1, 2026, Yerevan