During the June 18 session of Armenia’s National Assembly, Maria Karapetyan, a lawmaker from the Civil Contract faction, addressed the ongoing developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church. She stated that “the Armenian Apostolic Church no longer carries the ideals of our state, but we will change that.”

Karapetyan discussed how, during the Persian Empire era, the Armenian Apostolic Church made significant sacrifices to fulfill its role in preserving national identity. These sacrifices, she said, shaped the Church over time, and now, she argues, it must evolve once again, as reported by 1lurer.am .

“Our history tends to repeat itself until we take conscious responsibility for shaping it ourselves,” she said.

“Just as the Church then was not a bearer of the idea of liberation and coexisted peacefully with the empire, today too it is not a carrier of our state’s idea. But we will change that, because at the very least, our people did not entrust their monasteries to the Church in vain.

Until our Church recognizes the supremacy of our state as an expression of the people’s will, it will continue to exhibit traits acquired from centuries of survival under empires,” Karapetyan added.

She also addressed debates around celibacy among clergy and the criticism that such discussions interfere with private life.

“This critique overlooks an essential point: celibacy is a publicly declared condition for caretaking our thousand-year-old monasteries. It’s not about someone’s personal life—it’s about ending hypocrisy and deceit. Either life should reflect the Canon, or the Canon should reflect life,” she said.

Karapetyan also referenced Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent criticism of certain clergy members.

“Some delicate souls were shaken by the Prime Minister’s language. So was mine, Mr. Prime Minister—I firmly condemn it. But for some, that shock was well deserved, because for years now, governors, their clerical allies, and some bloggers have assumed they can strike at the state while you’re expected to remain passive. Why raise your hand? Why strike back?

I condemn strongly, and fully support, Mr. Prime Minister, your commitment to solving our long-accumulated issues—as a citizen and as a lawmaker.

Dear citizens, we haven’t forgotten how to be kind and courteous—soon everyone will be that way,” she concluded.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has posted on Facebook that “active steps are needed to free the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and organize new Catholicos elections.” He added that a “Coordinating Group” would be formed to handle related organizational matters, and he would personally assume responsibility for appointing its first 10 members.