Armenian armed forces to restructure military chaplaincy

The Armenian Ministry of Defence has announced a major restructuring of the military chaplaincy, raising concerns over the future of spiritual pastoral care within the armed forces.

A recent decision sent to the Holy See of Echmiadzin stipulates that regimental priests will now report directly to the Armed Forces’ command structure—specifically to the deputy commander responsible for educational work—and will be assigned formal military ranks, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

The chaplaincy in Armenia’s armed forces was originally established in November 1997 on the initiative of the late Catholicos Garegin I and former Defence Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, providing spiritual support to soldiers and military hospitals.

Father Psak Mkrtchyan, who serves at the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Church at the Kanaz Military Hospital, expressed deep regret at the changes.

“It is with deep sorrow that I must announce that there will no longer be services or liturgies at the Surb Grigor Narekatsi Church at the Kanaz Hospital. From now on, we as clergy are relieved of our duties,” he said.

These developments come against the backdrop of a prolonged and deepening rift within Armenia’s political leadership, as relations between Prime Minister Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church have steadily deteriorated since Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 Second Karabakh War.

By Sabina Mammadli