Why the Armenian Church Needs Renewal, Not Political Conflict
The church needs to take ownership of its future. It can't be resolved by government or clergy alone-lay delegates must call for a national assembly.
The ongoing conflict between Pashinyan’s government and the Catholicos of All Armenians has exposed a deeper structural problem in the Armenian Church: the absence of a national assembly where lay delegates and clergy can collectively reshape the institution’s future. Barsamian, who co-signed a controversial open letter to the community about the conflict, reflects candidly on what that effort revealed and what must happen next.
Barsamian emphasizes that the church is uniquely structured to resolve its own crisis: it is two-thirds lay and one-third clergy, meaning lay delegates possess real governance power. The church should convene its delegates from across the Armenian world-diaspora and homeland alike-to discuss renewal, modernization, and how the institution can remain relevant to younger generations. This approach depoliticizes the conflict by shifting it from government interference to internal church deliberation.
Critically, Barsamian acknowledges that the letter he helped draft may not have achieved its intended goal and that blame rests with all parties-government, church leadership, and the diaspora. But he insists this moment offers an opportunity for the church to reclaim its agency. A national assembly could address long-overdue questions: What role should the church play in diaspora life? How can it modernize to engage younger Armenians? Should clergy divest from commercial ventures? These are matters for the church to resolve itself, not questions to be litigated in the court of government pressure or public polarization.
Transcript
Anthony Barsamian: So you're going to see me take tough stands when I think it'll be helpful. Anthony Barsamian: The letter really was an open letter to the community. Anthony Barsamian: And unfortunately, Anthony Barsamian: I think it missed the mark because what we were really looking for was a discussion Anthony Barsamian: among the community, among the church leaders. Anthony Barsamian: To take control and ownership of their church. Anthony Barsamian: So what I'm really sort of disappointed in is that delegates in all Anthony Barsamian: the countries didn't say it's time for a national assembly. Anthony Barsamian: They have the right, Anthony Barsamian: you know, Anthony Barsamian: the Armenian church is two-thirds lay, Anthony Barsamian: one-third clergy, which means lay people have a lot of say in the Armenian church. Anthony Barsamian: They should call a national assembly. Anthony Barsamian: And I've talked about this, and I think that needs to happen. Anthony Barsamian: I think the church has to take ownership of its future. Anthony Barsamian: And I think the reason for the letter was we wanted to take it out of the hands of a conflict. Anthony Barsamian: Now, did it achieve the goal? Anthony Barsamian: I'm not so sure. Anthony Barsamian: And I think I've cleared it up with the government. Anthony Barsamian: I've had quiet conversations. Anthony Barsamian: But I take responsibility. Anthony Barsamian: You know, this is going to be very rare. Anthony Barsamian: I take responsibility for the letter because I thought it would make the situation better. Anthony Barsamian: And I'm not sure it did 100 percent. Anthony Barsamian: But I think Vehapar now knows that he needs to stay in the lane of taking care Anthony Barsamian: the best interests of the church. Anthony Barsamian: And the government should probably stay in the lane of governing the country. Anthony Barsamian: That is the way it's done in America. Anthony Barsamian: I think that's the way it needs to stay.