Armenian MoD gets letter requesting dismissal of priests

An anonymous letter has recently been sent to Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan with a demand to liquidate the Chaplaincy Service in the country's Armed Forces, as "it contradicts the principles of legality and democracy".

A copy of the letter was also sent to several media outlets in the country, Caliber.Az reports, the Yerevan-based daily Hraparak.

"Dear Mr. Minister, we demand either to immediately dissolve the Chaplaincy Service in the Armenian Ministry of Defence, as it contradicts the norms of the rule of law, the principles of the rule of law and democracy, or to reorganize the activities of this ‘office’ in line with the principles of democracy or to declare Armenia a religious state," the letter reads.

In the letter, the author specifically mentions that the army clergymen "serve together with soldiers, go with them to the border, take part in combat operations, training camps, organize screenings of educational films, pilgrimages.

All these contradict the freedom of conscience of military personnel, the author thinks.

The soldier is obliged to follow the instructions of the spiritual leader or chaplain of the Armenian Armed Forces.

The letter’s author also expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that not all servicemen are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and it is impossible to allow only representatives of this Church to serve in the army.