Ancient faith vs modern power: Inside Armenia’s church-state confrontation (VIDEO) A confrontation between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church is dividing society and questioning the country’s future. The rift intensified after Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh, with church leaders echoing public anger and subsequently facing government scrutiny. This situation is compared to similar trends in other post-Soviet nations where traditional churches have clashed with Western-backed political initiatives.

• A conflict is growing between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
• This rift has deepened following Azerbaijan’s regaining control of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023.
• Church leaders have voiced public anger and questioned government actions, leading to arrests and accusations against clergy.
• Critics suggest the campaign against the church mirrors a pattern in other post-Soviet countries where traditional churches oppose Western-backed political projects.