Pashinyan Vows to Lead 'Cleansing' of Armenian Clergy

YEREVAN — On July 16, 2025, a report appeared on the website of the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office about Nikol Pashinyan’s press conference in Yerevan. During the meeting with journalists, the head of government announced his intention to personally lead a movement to “cleanse” the Armenian Apostolic Church of clergy who violate the vow of celibacy.

“I could curse them, but I won’t do that. I only said that I will lead the movement to free the church from them. There’s no need for curses,” Pashinyan stated. According to him, this will be a targeted and peaceful campaign, conducted using methods similar to those employed during the 2018 “Velvet Revolution,” which brought him to power.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that his conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church revealed a “lack of connection and relationship with Jesus Christ” among some high-ranking clergy. He accused certain hierarchs of violating church vows and abuses, promising to seek changes within the church system itself.

The day before the statement, protests involving supporters of the Armenian Apostolic Church took place in the country. One of the protest organizers was businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who was arrested on charges of publicly calling for the seizure of power.

The UOJ continues to report on the growing conflict between secular and religious authorities in Armenia.

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