Yerevan9 minutes ago
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The main pastors of Armenia’s largest church Garegin (left) and PM Nicole Pashinayana.
Armenia Prime Minister Nicole Pashinayana is accused of not ‘Christians’. He has been accused by Father Jareh Ashurayan, a pastor of the country’s largest church. The pastor said in a social media post that the PM has ‘circumcised’ and has now become ‘Jews’.
Father Ashurayan of the Apostolic Church compared PM Pashinayana to the Bible vessel ‘Judas’ and also called him a traitor. Father Jareh Ashurayan is the spokesperson of Greigin -2, the chief pastor of Armenia’s largest church.
In response, PM Pashinayan posted a sharp post on Facebook and while addressing the real name of Garegin-2 ‘Katrich Nursiyasian’ and said- I am ready to prove that I have not been circumcised. If the church suspects, I am ready to present myself to investigate.
Pashinayan further wrote-
Karekin-2 should now answer the question whether they have violated the Brahmacharya fast? Do they have any children?
Charged with a child to have a child
This is not the first time the Prime Minister has made such serious allegations against the church chief. PM Pashinayan had last month described churches as home to scam. Earlier, he had alleged that Karekin-2 produced a child even after becoming a pastor, and therefore he should not hold his post according to the constitution of the church.
The PM even said that if Karekin denies these allegations, he is ready to present evidence against him. This was followed by a picture and name of a woman in the government media, which was described as the ‘alleged daughter’ of Karekin-2.
An organization associated with the government published a document on Tuesday. It said that the church and some influential leaders are planning a coup against the government together. Armenia’s first President Levon Ter-Petrosian is openly supporting the church. He has accused the government of breaking the constitution.
Earlier on June 17, a business man named Samvel Currentian was also arrested. Curpets are open supporters of the church. He is considered close to the Russian President Putin. The Karpetian has been accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.
Samewell Currentians with Garegin-2, the chief pastor of the Apostolic Church.
PM accused of affair with spokesperson
A newspaper has also sought a clarification on the allegations of extramarital affairs with its spokesperson on PM Pashinayan. On this, the Prime Minister angrily announced to sue the media and said that for him the family and spiritual life are not just a show, but the real values.
Prime Minister Pashinayana said in May that he would form a council that would choose the new Catholicos (religious head) of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He told in a long post on social media that he would choose the first 10 members of this council. He also called for applications from people via email.
He has also laid five conditions for the members of the council. 1. Faith in Jesus Christ, 2. Reading the Bible, 3. Praying, 4. Following Lent (40 days religious practice) and 5. Assuming that the improvement of the church is in the interest of the people and the country.
The relationship between the church and the government began to deteriorate in the year 2020. In the same year, there was a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the possession of Nargono-Karabakh in which Armenia was defeated. Angered by this, the church demanded the resignation of PM Pashinayana.