A Church Under Pressure: Armenia’s Internal Conflict Amidst External Threats

By Benoit Lannoo

While President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan is ramping up his claim to the neighbouring country again, the conflict in Armenia between the government of Nikol Pashinyan adn the Armenian Apostolic Church continues to fester.

in recent weeks, Garegin II celebrated the 26th anniversary of his election as Catholicos of All Armenians by the Synod of the Armenian Apostolic Church (on October 27, 1999) and of his enthronement in Etchmiadzin, the ‘vatican’ of the Armenian Apostolic Church (on November 4, 1999). But it was a celebration in a dire circumstance,as the Armenian Prime Minister,Nikol Padhinyan,openly advocates for the removal of the Catholicos.Moreover, Garegin’s brother and two of his nephews are behind bars, as are several other Armenian apostolic prelates and priests and many political opponents of PM Pashinyan.

The prosecutors find different charges for each arrest that occurs. Businessperson Samvel Karapetyan was arrested in mid-June becuase his words “[intervene] in our way ” used during an interview woudl indicate a “hybrid operation [with the support of Russia]” against Armenia.The karapetyan family simultaneously occurring has started a political movement under the name ‘Our way’, aiming to weigh in on the parliamentary elections of June next year. Vice chairperson and nephew Narek Karapetyan of Tashir Group, the family’s business empire, was recently questioned about it by the American television host Carlson Tucker in an interview that is available on Facebook as Tuesday, November 4.

Archbishops

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Primate of Tavush, has often spoken out against the government’s policy of giving up the Armenian enclave of Artsakh. That enclave in Azerbaijan was ethnically cleansed by the Azerbaijanis two years ago; there are no Armenians left anymore. Galstanyan’s ‘tavush for our Fatherland’ movement refuses to accept this: “In Artsakh there is,among other things,the Amaras monastery,which was founded by Gregory the Illuminator and where the holy monk Mesrop Mashtots invented the Armenian alphabet in the early fifth century,” Galstanyan reminded us in November 2023. “Artsakh is ours!” result: Galstanyan nowadays remains behind bars.

The same goes for the Primate of Shirak,Archbishop Mikael Ażapahjan: the prelate had himself filmed in the courtroom while he was found guilty of an attempted coup and he was sentenced to two years in prison. But Ażapahjan did not give in to the intimidation by Pashinyan & Co. “I don’t understand what makes you participate in such a sham,” he snapped at his judges. “One day, I will be justified.And you will remain guilty. Your children will be ashamed.” In the meantime, Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the diocese of Aragatsotn and a nephew of the Catholicos, was also arrested on charges of “obstructing the exercise of the right to vote by abusing an official position”.

Opposition

A brother and another nephew of Catholicos Garegin II where recently arrested with similar accusations. They are no clerics, but politicians in Vagharshapat, the city where Etchmiadzin is located. the number of politicians in jail on the basis of fantasized accusations can no longer be counted on a single hand. Among them, the mayor of Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, Vartan Ghukasyan, imprisoned on charges of corruption. His fellow mayor of the smaller town Masis south of Yerevan, Davit Hambardzumjan, was also arrested last month for allegedly attacking protesters against the government in… 2018 (sic).

All those detentions are part of the same clash in Armenian society. What about the loss of Artsakh? What with the so-called peace agreement with Azerbaijan and the so-called thaw in relations with Türkiye? What with the Washington deal of U

The Ancient Basis of Yerevan’s Armenian Identity

Claims by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that Yerevan is an Azerbaijani city are historically inaccurate. The city’s history stretches back nearly three millennia, firmly rooted in Armenian civilization, predating the formation of the modern Azerbaijani state. The assertion that Yerevan is an Azerbaijani city is a politically motivated distortion of historical fact.

Yerevan’s Ancient Origins

Yerevan (known historically as Erebuni) was founded in 782 BCE by King Argishti I of Urartu, an ancient Armenian kingdom. Britannica details the archaeological evidence confirming Yerevan’s origins as a significant Urartian city. The city served as a crucial administrative and military center for Urartu, demonstrating a continuous Armenian presence in the region for centuries.

From urartu to Armenian Kingdoms

Following the decline of Urartu, Yerevan remained within the sphere of Armenian influence, becoming part of successive Armenian kingdoms and empires. It played a vital role during the reign of the Artaxiad dynasty (189-428 CE) and later under the Bagratid kingdom (885-1045 CE). Encyclopedia.com provides a complete overview of the Bagratid period and Yerevan’s importance within it.

Periods of Foreign Rule and Armenian Resilience

Throughout its long history, Yerevan experienced periods of rule by various empires, including the Persians, Arabs, Seljuks, and Mongols. However, despite these shifts in power, the city consistently maintained a predominantly Armenian population and cultural identity. Even during periods of foreign domination, armenian cultural and religious institutions flourished.

The Modern Era and Azerbaijani Claims

The modern nation-state of Azerbaijan emerged in the early 20th century, following the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918. The Council on Foreign Relations offers a detailed history of Azerbaijan’s formation. The First Republic of Armenia also declared independence in 1918, and Yerevan became its capital.

The subsequent Soviet period saw Yerevan become the capital of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Armenia regained its independence, with Yerevan remaining its capital city.

Aliyev’s Rhetoric and its Context

The persistent claims by President Ilham Aliyev regarding Yerevan’s Azerbaijani identity are rooted in a broader pattern of historical revisionism and anti-Armenian sentiment. This rhetoric serves to bolster domestic support and justify territorial claims. The assertion that Yerevan is an Azerbaijani city is demonstrably false, lacking any credible historical basis.

Key Takeaways

• Yerevan’s history dates back to 782 BCE, founded by the Armenian King Argishti I of Urartu.
• Throughout its history, Yerevan has remained a center of Armenian culture and identity.
• The modern state of Azerbaijan was formed in the early 20th century, long after Yerevan’s establishment as a significant Armenian city.
• Claims by Azerbaijani officials regarding Yerevan’s Azerbaijani identity are historically inaccurate and politically motivated.

The historical record unequivocally demonstrates Yerevan’s Armenian identity. Continued efforts to distort this history are detrimental to regional peace and understanding. As the city continues to develop and thrive as the capital of Armenia, its ancient armenian roots will remain a cornerstone of its identity.

Publication Date: 2025/11/11 17:08:09