Yerevan: The processes observed around the church in Armenia in recent months are being assessed not only as changes occurring in the religious sphere but also as significant developments indicating that the country is in a transitional phase in terms of its political, ideological, and national identity. For many years, although the role played by the Armenian Apostolic Church in society was formally supposed to be limited to the function of a spiritual institution, in reality, it is claimed that this structure has turned into a platform influencing both internal political processes and the country's geopolitical orientation. This situation naturally generates public discontent and further deepens the trust gap between the church and the people.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the dynamics currently observed in Armenia primarily emerge as a result of contradictions between society's expectations of spiritual and moral leadership from the church and its actual activities. Although what is happening is presented as political interference, at the core of these processes lie public demand and a quest for sovereignty. Against this background, many strategic issues - from Armenia's future development model and its choice between the West and Russia to concepts of national identity and statehood - have once again become subjects of discussion. Church reforms, in turn, are regarded as one of the central elements of broader transformations.
It is precisely in this context that Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced the establishment of a coordination council for the renewal of the Armenian Church, together with 10 bishops who oppose Catholicos Garegin II. The document adopted by the council envisages the promotion of reforms within the church, the removal of the current head of the church from office, the appointment of an interim leader in place of the Catholicos, the adoption of the church's charter, and the election of the Catholicos of All Armenians in accordance with established procedures.
Speaking to APA on the issue, Armenian political commentator Natalie Aleksanyan believes that the essence of the creation of the council in question is not government intervention in the processes taking place around the Armenian Apostolic Church, but an expression of the accumulated public will of society, which demands that the church, which has been away from external influences for years, return to its true spiritual mission.
According to the Armenian commentator, the public is not demanding the abolition of faith, but rather the return of the Church to its national and spiritual essence. Pashinyan appears not as the one who shaped this public demand, but as a democratic leader responding to it, acting not out of personal interest but in line with the will of the people. Therefore, what is happening should be perceived not as arbitrary interference by the authorities, but as the result of society's demand to restore the Church, since this demand could no longer be ignored.
Aleksanyan stated that through this step, the Armenian people are effectively declaring their will to free themselves from KGB-linked agent networks and from Russia's long-standing influence. For a long time, the Armenian Apostolic Church was turned-contrary to the Constitution and for anti-state purposes-into an instrument of influence. However, the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia clearly states that the Church has no authority to interfere in political processes.
In this context, the name of Galstanyan (Bagrat Galstanyan), who is currently under arrest, should also be mentioned. He was deprived of his liberty not because of his political views, but as a result of the people's explicit demand and lawful procedures-once again demonstrating that society no longer wishes to tolerate political figures operating under the guise of the Church.
The political commentator noted that although the Armenian opposition is trying to discredit these processes and devalue them in the eyes of public opinion, the 'interference' thesis represents a false agenda. The Armenian people cannot be mistaken on fundamental issues concerning their own destiny. The processes taking place in Armenia today are the result of the conscious will of the people, despite the fact that the Armenian opposition is taking every step to discredit, distort, and devalue them in the eyes of society.
According to her, the main problem has been that for 26 years the Armenian Apostolic Church failed to provide spiritual support to society. The real picture is deeper and more painful: for 26 years, the Armenian Apostolic Church has not provided spiritual nourishment to the Armenian people. The church has turned into a closed corporate structure and distanced itself from believers.
Natali Aleksanyan also commented on claims of existing divisions within the church. A certain degree of division within the church is inevitable, but correct wording is important here: the division is not being created by the reforms currently being implemented; it already existed. The so-called 'legitimacy crisis' is not the result of reforms, but their cause.
The commentator stated that the reforms being carried out in the church are also linked to Armenia's civilizational choice. Church reforms are directly linked to Armenia's civilizational choice. Integration with the West does not mean the loss of faith or the rejection of national identity. It means ensuring institutional accountability, transparency, and the church's return to its true mission - service to the people, not to political or external centers.