ETCHMIADZIN (Realist English). Officers from Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) entered the grounds of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church, on Friday morning — escalating tensions between the state and the country’s religious leadership.
The move comes amid a criminal investigation into Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, who recently made controversial remarks interpreted by authorities as calls for a military coup. The cleric was attending a general assembly of the Armenian clergy in Etchmiadzin at the time of the security operation.
Father Asoghik Karapetyan, director of the Etchmiadzin museums and archives, condemned the NSS’s actions and declared that the entire clergy was prepared to stand with the Archbishop.
“All the clergy of Armenia are ready to be arrested. We are all here at the Mother See. From Holy Etchmiadzin, you will take either all of us — or our bodies,” he said.
According to local media, the investigation against Ajapakhyan is proceeding under charges related to public calls undermining the constitutional order. Security agents had previously carried out search operations at his residence.
The Archbishop’s recent public statements — sharply critical of the government and hinting at the possibility of regime change by force — have drawn fierce reactions from both state officials and the Church’s supporters.
