Accusations of sexual misconduct have ignited a significant political conflict in Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian nation, involving the prime minister, leading church figures, and even wealthy businesspeople.
This turmoil started back in May when Armenian Prime Minister Nicole Pashinyan alleged that Catricos Calekin II, the leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, had fathered a child in secret. The situation intensified when the church denied these claims and, shortly after, clergy members faced mass arrests amid accusations of a coup plot in June.
Among those detained was Samvel Karapetian, one of Armenia’s richest individuals. His nephew, Narek Karapetian, spoke to the Daily Karenar News Foundation, expressing concern about the implications of imprisoning a bishop in what he described as a 21st-century country. “For us, it’s about religious freedom,” he said.
The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on the situation.
Narek Karapetian criticized a “small group” that disregarded Armenia’s long-standing history with the church in a statement made on June 17. This came shortly after Pashinyan called for the resignation of Calekin II. The billionaire Karapetian emphasized his longstanding support for the church and noted that, should politicians fail, they would act independently in defense of it.
A day after his remarks, government forces arrested him and raided his home. The prime minister has also indicated plans to nationalize the electricity company owned by Karapetian.
Karapetian, with a net worth estimated at around $4.4 billion from his businesses in real estate and electricity, faced illegal arrest as determined by a judge about a month later. Still, the government plans to appeal that decision.
Narek Karapetian remarked that such undemocratic actions from the prime minister were surprising for a nation that had prided itself on its democratic values.
The Armenian Apostolic Church has been central to Armenian identity for centuries, having been established when Armenia became the first country to officially adopt Christianity in 380 AD. According to tradition, the apostles Bartholomew and Jude preached to the nation after the resurrection of Jesus.
Recent surveys show that 58% of citizens still have a favorable view of the church, despite rising tensions with the government since Pashinyan came to power in 2018 and escalating conflicts since 2020, particularly following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. During this turbulent time, the church criticized the government’s handling of the situation.
Archbishop Bagrat Garstagnan had been a vocal leader against the government’s actions, though he insisted that protests were not political. The demonstrations, termed “the sacred struggle,” received support from Calekin II and often included calls for Pashinyan’s resignation.
As Narek Karapetian put it, “For Armenians, Christianity is more than just a religion; it’s our culture, it forms our very identity,” referencing the church’s integral role in their heritage over the past 1,700 years.
