Armenian PM proposes hoisting national flag in churches

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has suggested that the issue of displaying the Armenian flag on church premises should be discussed, highlighting that such a practice is already common in several other countries.

Pashinyan also addressed the performance of the national anthem before church liturgies, noting that the practice aligns with the text recited by priests at the start of services, Caliber.Az reports, Armenian media.

The premier's statement reflects a deepening rift between his government and the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), the country's dominant religious institution. This conflict, which escalated significantly in 2025, stems from Pashinyan's broader push for what he describes as the "liberation" and "renewal" of the church from perceived corruption, foreign influence (particularly Russian), and opposition to his foreign policy agenda, including peace negotiations with Azerbaijan.

By Khagan Isayev