Pashinyan’s office criticises arrested clergy: “Followers of Jefferson, not Christ”

Arayik Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff at the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office, has made a pointed statement regarding the recent arrest of clergymen, accusing them of hypocrisy and materialism.

His remarks, shared via Facebook, reference a controversial photo released by the Investigative Committee that features a symbolic detail — a two-dollar bill, Caliber.Az reports.

Quoting Deuteronomy 18:12 — “Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.” — Harutyunyan condemned the arrested priests, accusing them of engaging in the very superstitions they are meant to denounce.

“In fact, clergymen, who are supposed to fight superstition, are themselves superstitious,” he wrote.

Harutyunyan drew particular attention to the presence of a two-dollar bill in the image released by authorities following the arrests. “Only one detail caught my attention — the two-dollar bill (it is well known that Ktrich & co love money, they love money very much). This bill is considered to bring good luck, which is a striking example of superstition.”

He went further, denouncing what he sees as a loss of faith and spiritual integrity among the clergy: “How can one not go mad when, instead of believing in God, these people believe in nothing! They are not followers of Jesus Christ — they are followers of Jefferson (the third president of the United States, depicted on the two-dollar bill- ed.),” Harutyunyan stated.

To recall, another clergyman, Priest Paren, has been detained by law enforcement agencies in Armenia.

The head of the information system of Etchmiadzin, Priest Yesayi Artenyan, informed Armenian media about the incident.

He also stated that a search had previously been conducted at the home of another clergyman — the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan — who is now being taken to the investigative department.

According to Armenian media reports, Bishop Proshyan is the nephew of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

Notably, the current crisis in Armenia centres on a deepening rift between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the AAC, a powerful institution with significant cultural and political influence in Armenian society. The conflict intensified following Armenia’s territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, particularly the return of four border villages in May 2024, which sparked widespread protests led by the AAC and its senior clergy, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, head of the “Holy Struggle” opposition movement. These protests have evolved into broader demands for Pashinyan’s resignation, accusing his government of betraying national interests.

The Armenian government’s response has been severe, with the National Security Service conducting raids and arrests targeting prominent clerics and opposition figures, particularly Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, with charges of terrorism, coup plot. The government also conducted over 90 searches, detaining at least 14 individuals, including opposition activists.

Pashinyan publicly accused the AAC of corruption and moral violations, notably targeting Catholicos Garegin II, the church’s leader, with allegations of breaching celibacy vows and calling for his resignation.

By Vafa Guliyeva