YEREVAN—Armenian authorities have escalated their campaign against leading clergy and members of the opposition-aligned “Tavush for the Homeland” movement.
Following the arrests of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, ARF Supreme Council member Igor Sargsyan, Artsakh Republic’s interim president Davit Galstyan and over a dozen other activists, government forces turned their focus to the very heart of Armenian spiritual life: the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
On June 27, heavily armed units from Armenia’s most elite security divisions—including the National Security Service’s (NSS) “Alpha” unit, the police’s “Black Panthers” and “Red and Black Berets”—descended on Holy Etchmiadzin in a highly militarized attempt to arrest Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, primate of the Shirak Diocese. The dramatic standoff unfolded during the annual clergy assembly, shocking both clergy and laypeople gathered at the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Though Ajapahyan voluntarily offered to appear before the Investigative Committee following the session, the scale and aggression of the operation alarmed observers. Clergy and civilians encircled the Archbishop in a human shield, urging him not to go. “If they take you, they must take all of us,” one priest reportedly declared. Amid mounting tension, security forces eventually withdrew from the compound.
Shortly afterward, Archbishop Ajapahyan voluntarily appeared and was later arrested and transferred to the high-security detention unit “Yerevan-Kentron,” commonly used for extreme isolation. His legal team condemned the arrest as politically motivated and unlawful.
“This is no longer about legality,” said his lawyer, Yerem Sargsyan. “This is a matter of life and death. They’ve placed him in solitary confinement as if he were a violent criminal, despite his voluntary cooperation with authorities.”
The arrest followed accusations under Article 422 of the Criminal Code, which alleges that the archbishop made public calls to violently overthrow the constitutional order—charges stemming from remarks he made assessing post-war Armenia’s political situation. His lawyers argue these were analytical reflections, not incitements.
From his own cell at Yerevan-Kentron, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan—leader of the “Tavush for the Homeland” movement—released a letter, likening the events at Etchmiadzin to Stalinist-era persecutions. He recalled how, in 1937, Archbishop Bagrat Vardazaryan, after whom he was named, was arrested and executed in the same building.
“We have returned to 1937,” he wrote. “The regime now labels defenders of faith and identity as terrorists and traitors. The end of this regime will be just as inevitable as the fall of Soviet tyranny.”
Condemnation of these developments has poured in from many corners. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued an unprecedented statement denouncing the government’s actions as “a day of national disgrace,” branding the arrest of Archbishop Ajapahyan and the attempted raid on the monastery grounds as a “blasphemous and unprecedented assault” on Armenia’s spiritual heritage.
The statement pointed to the prime minister and other top officials as the architects of an overt “anti-Church policy,” accusing them of inciting hatred against clergy. The Church called for the archbishop’s immediate release and warned of legal action to defend ecclesiastical rights.
The Diplomatic Council of the Armenian Diaspora echoed these sentiments, declaring the assault on Etchmiadzin “a direct attack on national identity and unity,” and warning that the government’s actions could ignite a broader civil crisis.
“What our enemies failed to achieve for centuries, our own government is now attempting,” the statement read.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in, expressing concern over growing tensions in Armenia, particularly the situation surrounding the Church. In a rare and sharply worded statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed deep concern over what he called “unfounded attacks” on the Armenian Apostolic Church, warning that such actions threaten one of the most enduring pillars of Armenian society.
His comments came during a press briefing following a session of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Council of Foreign Ministers.
Lavrov confirmed that the internal developments in Armenia, particularly those targeting the Armenian Church, were discussed at length during the meeting. “This is clearly an internal matter for our neighbors,” he said, “but the growing pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church—a canonical institution with a millennia-old presence—is deeply troubling.”
The Russian foreign minister emphasized the Church’s traditional role as a stabilizing force and a cornerstone of national identity. “For centuries, the Armenian Church has been a moral and spiritual foundation of Armenian society. To see it come under assault, especially without substantial justification, raises serious concerns,” Lavrov said.
He stressed that Russia has a vested interest in seeing the situation resolved quickly and peacefully, in full respect of Armenia’s constitution, the rights of believers and fundamental human rights more broadly. “We believe it is essential that any internal dialogue be conducted in a way that ensures religious freedom and preserves national cohesion,” Lavrov stated.
Notably, Lavrov acknowledged the growing resistance within Armenian society to government actions against the Church. “There is a significant and growing movement to defend the Church in Armenia,” he noted. “This is not a fringe concern—it is a serious national issue.”
This latest wave of arrests and military-style crackdowns represents a dramatic escalation in the Armenian government’s confrontation with a rising national-religious movement. What began in the northern region of Tavush as a protest against border concessions has evolved into a nationwide outcry against perceived authoritarianism and secular aggression toward the Church.
For now, the fate of Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan remains uncertain. Yet among supporters, one sentiment dominates: that the soul of the nation is at stake. Archbishop Galstanyan’s final words from prison echo beyond the stone walls of his cell: “Victory has no alternative.”
Hoory Minoyan
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If victory means through the ballot box Yes, but if it means through the barrel of the gun its a NO NO.
Hope you’re enjoying Disneyland…
sometimes it does not work that way unfortunately.
There can be no doubt now that Pashinyan is determined to provoke a conflict witb the Church.
Defend the Holy Apostolic Church!
Defend Etchmiadzin!
The only people who benefit from a divided Armenia are the Turks and the Turm lovers.
Pashinyan is working for them.
Hoory Minoyan and her sponsors have become a trumpet of the anti-government campaign. You turn a blind eye to the calls by Galstanyan to kill, destroy, burn, to wreak havoc, widespread panic in the society who he calls “anasoon azg.” You turn a blind eye to the massive arms arsenal collected in preparation for the attack on the nation. Since when you became sympathetic to Mr. Lavrov, as if he is the most concerned person about the Armenian nation? Russia helped Aliyev in ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and did nothing to prevent the occupation of part of Armenia. It’s not an accident that the events flared up upon Samvel Karapetyan’s arrival in Yerevan from Russia. Russia’s stance is best reflected in assertions of Solovyev who is one of the biggest haters of the Armenia’s government.
The Russian Federation did not help because of Pashinyan’s ambivalent and west leaning posture. Don’t mix the two.
I believe you are referring to some alleged recordings that presumably has Archbishop Galstanyan’s voice talking about the things you mentioned here. That being the case, and given all the secret dealings with our enemies to the detriment of our nation by that incompetent, flip-flopping and deceptive Pashinyan, I have no doubt those recordings were manufactured to legitimize the detention of certain church leaders, among them Galstanyan, whom Pashinyan considers as obstacles in acquiring that fraudulent “peace agreement” with cunning enemy he is so anxious and desperate in getting to save himself. The technology exists today to manufacture such fraudulent recordings and as far as I know no one has been able to authenticate the recordings.
The Archbishop realizing all the dangers facing a divided nation brought thousands to the streets in the capital city to demand Pashinyan’s resignation only after he witnessed the uprooting and forcible removal of Armenians from their properties in Tavush region where he served by deceptive Pashinyan and his junta that he had cunningly decided they had to be turned over to the enemy. Galstanyan held many rallies and was always peaceful and never preached any violence. He was very resolute in his demand but in fact he always the calming voice against any violence by his agitated followers and kept them at bay. What irritated Pashinyan was the fact that his authority was being challenged by the clergy and for valid reasons. All Galstanyan had done was to unite the nation against a traitor who should have had no business in running a country let alone one in a state of war for the last thirty years.
Russia like many other superpowers is after Russian interests first and foremost and its peace keeping forces failed to keep the peace between the two warring sides but things took a sharp turn in Artsakh when double-talking Pashinyan declared Artsakh as part of enemy territory two years after declaring it as part of Armenia. His declaration emboldened the enemy while perhaps causing some degree of indifference among the Russian peace keepers. Not excusing the Russians, but as far as I know, they had no authority to use force unless force was used against them. Besides, Russia’s obligations had to do with Armenia only and it had no obligations towards Artsakh since at the time, or any other time for that matter, Artsakh was not officially declared and recognized as part of Armenia (even though de facto it was since people there carried Armenian passports and used Armenian currency) by any Armenian leader and that probably because of ongoing peace negotiations and such official declaration would have jeopardize the negotiation process and maybe lead to war. Needless to say, Artsakh should have officially been made an undivided part of Armenia decades ago with our victory over the enemy when they were at their weakest.
You know what would help? If these people weren’t actively planning a coup d’état. Here I was thinking that coups were beneath us and something exclusive in the region to Turks.
Please explain your principled stance to the family of Ruben Vardanyan who is all but forgotten, to the families of the 30+ hostages, to the families of thousands of young men and women who are no longer with us!
The recent events unfolding in Armenia, particularly the arrests of clergy and opposition figures affiliated with the Tavush for the Homeland movement, have sparked deep national concern. While criticism of government actions—especially those perceived as heavy-handed—is not only valid but vital in a democracy, we must reaffirm a fundamental truth: Armenia’s only sustainable path forward is through lawful, constitutional, and peaceful political change—never through violence or unconstitutional upheaval.
Democracy is not perfect, but it is essential
Armenia has suffered greatly in recent years: war, displacement, economic hardship, and deep societal divisions. These wounds cannot be healed by sowing more division or abandoning the democratic institutions that so many struggled to build. History has shown—both in Armenia and abroad—that violence or calls for unconstitutional regime change do not liberate nations. They fracture them, inviting chaos, repression, and ultimately the loss of sovereignty.
The Armenian Constitution, ratified by the people, guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and the right to protest. It also upholds the rule of law. Political change must be pursued through these avenues—through dialogue, elections, and civic engagement. Anything else—be it calls for insurrection or the use of religious institutions to mobilize unconstitutional actions—undermines the very democracy we seek to strengthen.
Violence Weakens Armenia and Serves Foreign Interests
Armenia today sits at a critical geopolitical crossroads. Surrounded by much more powerful neighbors with vested interests in its internal affairs, the country’s greatest strength lies in national unity, stability, and democratic legitimacy.
Every instance of unrest, every call to overthrow the constitutional order by force, plays directly into the hands of those who benefit from a weak, fragmented, and unstable Armenia. Our adversaries do not fear our protests—they welcome our internal collapse.
Let us be clear: The soul of the nation is not defended by circumventing elections or threatening violence. It is defended by upholding our democratic values, strengthening our institutions, and ensuring that no government—this one or any future one—can suppress the voice of the people.
The Church Must Be Respected—but Must Also Remain Separate from Politics
The Armenian Apostolic Church is a foundational institution in our national identity, history, and cultural continuity. It must be treated with reverence and protected from politically motivated attacks. But its role is spiritual, not governmental. When clergy become front-line political actors advocating unconstitutional change, they step into dangerous territory—both for the Church and the nation.
If there have been excesses by law enforcement, they must be independently investigated. But this cannot justify the endorsement of calls for regime change outside the ballot box. Rule of law must apply equally to all—politicians, clergy, and citizens alike.
Let us choose dialogue, not destruction
Now is not the time for inflammatory rhetoric or historic comparisons that sow fear. We are not in 1937. Armenia is not a Stalinist state. But to preserve that reality, we must reject violence, demand accountability through legal mechanisms, and protect our democracy by participating in it—not by threatening it.
Those who truly care about Armenia—its Church, its sovereignty, and its people—must stand united in defense of democracy, peace, and constitutional order. Political change is the right of the people, but only the people—through free, fair and transparent elections—can enact that change legitimately.
Let us protect the soul of our nation by safeguarding its heart: its democracy.
You seriously think that Armenia is a deomcracy? It’s July 4th today, which is a reminder that America IS a democracy, but it didn’t get there by dialogue with the British. It takes audacity. Pashinyan will never ever leave voluntarily.
pashinoglu is the greatest hero of the turkic nations. He is an atheist and a nazi. He held a “velvet revolution”, but wont allow another. Armenians have more rights in Azerbaijan than in Armenia. The diaspora should cease all support until this traitor is dethroned and all the monies he stole returned.
simply put, this is an outrage! bringing guns into a church!!!
@Hovsep
Do you know what would help? If nikol paşinoglu was not a treasonous scum. Paşinoglu deserves Nicolas Ceacescu treatment
Removal of Pash is a national survival level necessity.