Dispute over command sees majority of Armenian military chaplains exit service

Armenia’s Defence Minister Suren Papikyan said the military cannot operate under a system of dual subordination, as the government moves to change the structure governing the service of Armenian Apostolic Church chaplains in the armed forces.

By order of the defence minister, the service of chaplains appointed by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was terminated as of February 1. Under the revised framework, priests serving in the military are now required to report to the Ministry of Defence’s Moral and Psychological Training Department and to their respective unit commanders, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

Papikyan said the changes were administrative in nature and aimed at ensuring a clear chain of command within the armed forces. He rejected claims that spiritual service in the army had been suspended, describing such reports as speculative.

Speaking at a briefing for journalists at the National Assembly on February 6, Papikyan said the ministerial order had been amended and the format of service altered, but that spiritual support could continue within the military under the new reporting structure.

Armenian media reported that 35 of the 42 chaplains previously serving in the armed forces declined to accept the new terms and returned to Echmiadzin.

By Sabina Mammadli