Church-state confrontation cannot be part of Armenian agenda — Ara Poghosyan

The attack on the Armenian Apostolic Church began back in 2018, political scientist Ara Poghosyan told Alpha News.

“There is absolutely no issue with individuals here. The government does not have a problem with particular people. Its problem is the system, the church as an institution, as an organizing national force. Perhaps in our reality this is a unique and exceptional phenomenon,” the political scientist said.

According to Poghosyan, the key moment was the statement made on May 22 in Azerbaijan by Allahshukur Pashazade, head of the Religious Council of the Caucasus. In his remarks, Pashazade labeled the Armenian Apostolic Church a “hotbed of revanchism” and a “threat” to the region’s countries.

“This is directly related to Azerbaijan’s policy, because it is no secret that Baku’s current strategy is directed against any national sentiments, liberation movements and ideas in Armenia,” Poghosyan emphasized.

The political scientist believes that the church-state confrontation cannot be part of the Armenian agenda.

“This is a hostile agenda that aims to separate the church from its spiritual leadership and create national division. If the authorities succeed in undermining the constitutional order, it will set a precedent that weakens the foundations of the Armenian Church. A mechanism will be created that allows a group of people to change the spiritual leader of the church. And this, in turn, means that they will be able to demand the change of the Supreme Patriarch and impose their own candidate,” he said.