Armenian prime minister questions Archbishop’s morals in scathing post

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has addressed growing speculation that Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is evading law enforcement authorities amid ongoing criminal proceedings.

In a post published on his official Facebook page, Pashinyan responded to reports that the Archbishop has not complied with a detention order issued by the country’s Investigative Committee, Caliber.Az reports.

The prime minister’s remarks were laced with pointed criticism.

“It is obvious why he [Ajapahian] is hiding from law enforcement agencies,” Pashinyan wrote. “If the court imposes an arrest for a month or two, how will the ‘lord’ live without a woman?”

The comment alludes to past controversies involving the Archbishop, who has been a vocal critic of the government. Armenian media have recalled an earlier statement by Ajapahian, made in response to accusations that certain bishops had violated their vows of celibacy. At the time, the Archbishop challenged his critics, saying, “Let at least one of these blabbermouths try to live for a month without a wife.”

Ajapahian is currently under investigation on charges related to incitement to forcibly overthrow the constitutional order—allegedly through statements made via mass media. Law enforcement officials have attempted to detain him on several occasions, prompting tensions between the clergy and security forces, particularly during a recent gathering in Etchmiadzin.

By Vafa Guliyeva