On June 29, the Armenian General Benevolent Union’s (AGBU) Central Board issued a public statement urging restraint, unity, and strict adherence to Armenia’s Constitution and Church protocols amid one of the nation’s most serious crises in decades.
The message follows a wave of political unrest, including the arrest and detention of clergy and opposition figures, as tensions escalate between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Critics accuse the Pashinyan administration of overstepping legal boundaries and targeting the Church’s leadership, while the government claims it is responding to alleged threats of a coup.
Without naming officials, AGBU calls on all parties to respect constitutional law, reject divisive rhetoric, and safeguard the Armenian Church’s global authority. It reiterates and reinforces the importance of the Church as a vital pillar of Armenian identity and history, warning that any unconstitutional interference threatens national cohesion.
The full statement by AGBU’s Central Board on Events in Armenia reads as follows:
“The Armenian nation is at a moment of deep crisis. Recent events are sending shockwaves through Armenia and across our expansive Diaspora. As we have at critical junctures in the Nation’s history, AGBU is speaking out to call for restraint and national unity.
As events unfold, it is important to reinforce that the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and its democratic process must be respected, as should the clear governance, policies and protocols of the national Church with its global following.
The government’s primary rights and obligations are to tend to the governing policies and the enforcement of the laws in Armenia, within the limits of the democratic process and respecting individuals’ rights to free speech. At the same time, the Church has the rights and obligation to tend to the spiritual leadership and authority of the global Armenian nation from East to West, including Armenia.
Both the Constitution and the Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of the State and the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. While constructive criticism of – or disagreement with – any institution or its leadership is reasonable, unconstitutional interference and destructive rhetoric are not.
Just as the current government works to secure peace and prosperity for Armenia and its citizens, the Armenian Apostolic Church is the bedrock of our faith and national identity for Armenians across the globe. The Church has been the guiding force for more than 1700 years in enduring empires, kingdoms, totalitarian regimes, and even the attempt to systematically eliminate our people during the Armenian Genocide.
We urge all parties to exercise restraint, reject divisiveness, and recommit to dialogue grounded in mutual respect and shared national interest. We must move forward together for in unity is strength and only in unity can we hope to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora. Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians.
