Armenian Church

Last updated: May 29, 2026

The Armenian Apostolic Church — sometimes referred to in Western sources as the Armenian Orthodox Church, though the Church itself uses the Apostolic designation — was founded in 301 AD when Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, making it among the world’s oldest Christian institutions. Its spiritual center is the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin , and it is led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, currently Garegin II .

Groong has covered the Armenian Church across more than 80 episodes, from its theological and cultural role in Armenian identity to its increasingly contested political position. Coverage includes the church’s response to the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war, the emergence of tensions between the Catholicosate and the Pashinyan government, and the dramatic events of 2025 in which multiple senior archbishops were arrested.

A central theme in recent coverage is the Pashinyan government’s effort to weaken the Armenian Apostolic Church under the framing of institutional reform. Critics argue that the government has used legislative and legal mechanisms to reduce the church’s influence in Armenian public life — stripping its exemptions, challenging its land holdings, and targeting clergy through the court system — in what many observers describe as a politically motivated campaign to neutralize a powerful institution that has historically commanded broad public trust.

The arrests of multiple senior clergy in 2025 form the sharpest edge of this confrontation. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan led a mass opposition movement before his arrest in June. Archbishops Mikayel Ajapahyan and Arshak Khachatryan and Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan were also arrested later that year. These events have made the church-state relationship one of the most closely watched dimensions of Armenian domestic politics heading into the 2026 parliamentary elections.

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Armenian Church.

Sergey Markedonov - Russia-Armenia Relations Before the Vote | Ep 552, June 1, 2026 [EP552]

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Turkey, Iran, Georgia | Series: cog

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • TRIPP and Regional Balance
  • Armenia’s Geopolitical Election
  • Pashinyan’s “Real Armenia”
  • Russia’s Economic Pressure

Episode 552 | Recorded: May 31, 2026

#RussiaArmenia #SergeyMarkedonov #ArmeniaElections #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #RealArmenia #EAEU

Sergey Markedonov - Russia-Armenia Relations Before the Vote | Ep 552, June 1, 2026 [EP552]

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Turkey, Iran, Georgia

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • TRIPP and Regional Balance
  • Armenia’s Geopolitical Election
  • Pashinyan’s “Real Armenia”
  • Russia’s Economic Pressure

Episode 552 | Recorded: May 31, 2026

#RussiaArmenia #SergeyMarkedonov #ArmeniaElections #Pashinyan #TRIPP #SouthCaucasus #RealArmenia #EAEU

Transcript: Sergey Markedonov - Russia-Armenia Relations Before the Vote | Ep 552, June 1, 2026 [EP552]

Posted on Monday, Jun 1, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Russia, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Dr. Sergey Markedonov about Russia-Armenia relations and Armenia’s geopolitical position ahead of the June 7, 2026 Armenian parliamentary elections. We discuss the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), Russian concerns about regional balance, Pashinyan’s westward orientation, economic pressure from Moscow, and how Armenia’s strategic partnerships will shape its future in the South Caucasus.

Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit
  • Polls diverge before election
  • Hidden vote raises questions
  • TRIPP remains deeply polarizing
  • “Western Azerbaijan” pressure grows
  • Opposition faces arrests, threats
  • “Why are you alive?” campaign rhetoric

Episode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOpposition

Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China

Topics:

  • Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit
  • Polls diverge before election
  • Hidden vote raises questions
  • TRIPP remains deeply polarizing
  • “Western Azerbaijan” pressure grows
  • Opposition faces arrests, threats
  • “Why are you alive?” campaign rhetoric

Episode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026

#ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOpposition

Transcript: Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026 [EP550]

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, China, Transcript

This Week in Review examines the tightening political climate in Armenia ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. Asbed and Hovik discuss Marco Rubio’s sudden Armenia visit, new polling from IRI, MPG, and CAEAC, and what the wide gaps in voter disclosure may reveal about hidden opposition support. The episode also covers TRIPP, “Western Azerbaijan” rhetoric, public trust in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the growing use of arrests, threats, and state pressure against opposition figures. The discussion centers on Pashinyan’s escalating campaign rhetoric, including his “Why are you alive?” outburst, and what it signals about the stakes of the coming election.

Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s existential election
  • Polling under fear
  • Divergent polling results
  • Church and state conflict
  • Post-election street pressure

Episode 549 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #EdgarElbakyan #StrongArmenia #ArmeniaAlliance #ArmeniaElections

Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan

Guest:

Topics:

  • Armenia’s existential election
  • Polling under fear
  • Divergent polling results
  • Church and state conflict
  • Post-election street pressure

Episode 549 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #EdgarElbakyan #StrongArmenia #ArmeniaAlliance #ArmeniaElections

Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Armenia’s election rules
  • Parties and alliances competing
  • MPG polling and thresholds
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union

Topics:

  • Armenia’s election rules
  • Parties and alliances competing
  • MPG polling and thresholds
  • Opposition challenges and turnout
  • Geopolitical positions heatmap

Episode 548 | Recorded: May 22, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #ArmenianPolitics #Artsakh #SouthCaucasus #CivilContract #StrongArmenia #HayastanDashinq

Transcript: Edgar Elbakyan - The Battle for Armenia’s Political Future | Ep 549, May 24, 2026 [EP549]

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode features Edgar Elbakyan in a discussion of Armenia’s upcoming election and the wider struggle over the country’s political future. The conversation examines whether the vote should be viewed as an existential election, how fear and pressure shape public opinion, why polling results differ so sharply, and which political forces may be positioned to enter parliament. The episode also looks at whether the opposition is focused on the issues that matter most, including statehood, security, public trust, and the possibility that the election may not end at the ballot box.

Transcript: Parties and Alliances in the 2026 Armenian Parliamentary Election | Ep 548, May 22, 2026 [EP548]

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, European Union, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode provides a primer on Armenia’s June 7, 2026 parliamentary elections, reviewing the 17 parties and 2 alliances registered to compete. The discussion explains the election rules, thresholds, coalition process, and the “stable majority” mechanism, while stressing the uneven political environment facing opposition forces. The episode then walks through each participant, including Civil Contract, Strong Armenia, Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, Wings of Unity, Bright Armenia, ANC, Bever, Republic, DOK, Democratic Consolidation, and smaller parties with  Read More

Pashinyan's Hate Speech, Threats, and the June 7 Election Climate | Ep 547, May 17, 2026 [EP547]

Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, NATO | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Trump, China, and Iran
  • Armenia-Russia “soft divorce”
  • Pashinyan’s violent campaign rhetoric
  • State resources and election pressure
  • Javakhk church vandalism concerns

Episode 547 | Recorded: May 18, 2026

#Pashinyan #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianPolitics #PoliticalViolence #HateSpeech #ArmeniaRussia #IranWar #SouthCaucasus

Pashinyan's Hate Speech, Threats, and the June 7 Election Climate | Ep 547, May 17, 2026 [EP547]

Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, NATO

Topics:

  • Trump, China, and Iran
  • Armenia-Russia “soft divorce”
  • Pashinyan’s violent campaign rhetoric
  • State resources and election pressure
  • Javakhk church vandalism concerns

Episode 547 | Recorded: May 18, 2026

#Pashinyan #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianPolitics #PoliticalViolence #HateSpeech #ArmeniaRussia #IranWar #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Pashinyan's Hate Speech, Threats, and the June 7 Election Climate | Ep 547, May 17, 2026 [EP547]

Posted on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Election, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, NATO, Transcript

This Week in Review covers a tense mix of global and Armenian political crises, from Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping and the deepening Iran war, to Armenia’s worsening relations with Russia and the risks to trade, energy, and security ties. Hovik and Asbed also examine Armenia’s heated election climate, including allegations of state pressure, abuse of administrative resources, selective law enforcement, Pashinyan’s violent campaign rhetoric against opposition leaders, and the muted response of international observers. The episode also looks at Robert Kocharyan’s call for major-power guarantees for peace with Azerbaijan, and the vandalism of the Sourp Nshan Armenian Church in Javakhk.

EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union | Series: cog, video

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • EU role in Armenia’s elections
  • Fact-checkers and political bias
  • Dissent labeled as disinformation
  • Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
  • Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union

Guest(s):

Topics:

  • EU role in Armenia’s elections
  • Fact-checkers and political bias
  • Dissent labeled as disinformation
  • Lawsuits, pressure, and intimidation
  • Censorship and social media control

Episode 543 | Recorded: May 7, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianElections #EU #Disinformation #FactChecking #Censorship #CivilSociety #FreeSpeech

Transcript: EU Interference and Armenia's 2026 Elections | Ep 543, May 10, 2026 [EP543]

Posted on Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, Human Rights, NATO, European Union, Transcript

Hovhannes Ishkhanyan and Nare Navasardyan discuss the growing role of the EU, fact-checking networks, and counter-disinformation programs in Armenia’s 2026 election environment. The conversation examines claims of foreign interference, the use of “hybrid threats” and “disinformation” labels against domestic dissent, and the political bias of Armenia’s fact-checking ecosystem. The guests also share personal experiences with lawsuits, public confrontation, protest, and censorship, raising broader questions about free speech, election fairness, and the management of Armenia’s information space.

Trump’s Iran Ceasefire, Operation Kochari, and Armenia’s Election Fog | Ep 539, May 3, 2026 [EP539]

Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian News, Israel, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Genocide, Human Rights | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Iran War
  • Mustafayev in Armenia
  • Destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral by Azerbaijan
  • Election politics

Episode 539 | Recorded: May 3, 2026

#Armenia #Azerbaijan #IranWar #TRIPP #Artsakh #Stepanakert #ArmenianElections #Groong

Trump’s Iran Ceasefire, Operation Kochari, and Armenia’s Election Fog | Ep 539, May 3, 2026 [EP539]

Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian News, Israel, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Genocide, Human Rights

Topics:

  • Iran War
  • Mustafayev in Armenia
  • Destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral by Azerbaijan
  • Election politics

Episode 539 | Recorded: May 3, 2026

#Armenia #Azerbaijan #IranWar #TRIPP #Artsakh #Stepanakert #ArmenianElections #Groong

Transcript: Trump’s Iran Ceasefire, Operation Kochari, and Armenia’s Election Fog | Ep 539, May 3, 2026 [EP539]

Posted on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian News, Israel, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, USA, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Genocide, Human Rights, Transcript

This Groong Week in Review covers Trump’s Iran ceasefire, failed US-Iran talks in Islamabad, the naval blockade, and Washington’s war politics. Asbed and Hovik also examine “Operation Kochari,” Shahin Mustafayev’s secret visit to Armenia, TRIPP, border demarcation, Armenia-Azerbaijan trade, Azerbaijan’s destruction of the Stepanakert cathedral, Pashinyan’s response, the MPG poll, opposition coalition math, election fraud risks, the EPC meeting, legal pressure, mass surveillance, and Armenia’s falling press freedom ranking.

Transcript: Arthur Martirosyan - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, June Parliamentary | Ep 536, Apr 26, 2026 [EP536]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Armenian News, Artsakh Blockade, Genocide, Georgia, European Union, Transcript

We examine how the Iran war fallout and the extension of the ceasefire are reshaping Armenia’s geopolitical position. We break down the push for the TRIPP or Zangezur Corridor and the claims of Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization, and assess how they tie to regional power dynamics involving Iran, Russia, Turkey, and the United States. The episode also covers Armenia’s 2026 elections and rising elite tensions. In addition, we discuss the global commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, contrasting international messaging with domestic narratives and linking it to ongoing debates around Artsakh and historical continuity.

Arthur Martirosyan - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, June Parliamentary | Ep 536, Apr 26, 2026 [EP536]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Armenian News, Artsakh Blockade, Genocide, Georgia, European Union | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War and TRIPP
  • Armenian Genocide commemoration
  • Peace narrative vs corridor reality
  • Parliamentary election

Episode 536 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Iran War, Effect on Armenia, June Parliamentary | Ep 536, Apr 26, 2026 [EP536]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Israel, USA, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Armenian Genocide, Armenian News, Artsakh Blockade, Genocide, Georgia, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War and TRIPP
  • Armenian Genocide commemoration
  • Peace narrative vs corridor reality
  • Parliamentary election

Episode 536 | Recorded: April 27, 2026

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 532 | Recorded: April 20, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #IranWar #Hormuz #ArmeniaElections #SouthCaucasus

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 532 | Recorded: April 20, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #IranWar #Hormuz #ArmeniaElections #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War, Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Armenian Parliamentary Elections | Ep 532, Apr 19, 2026 [EP532]

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, USA, Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Georgia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Transcript

In this Week in Review episode, Ambassador Dziunik Aghajanian discusses the stalled Iran negotiations after the Islamabad talks, the renewed pressure around Hormuz and the naval blockade, Turkey’s posture toward Israel and the region; Armenia’s lower-profile participation in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum; Russia’s shifting rhetoric on TRIPP and the South Caucasus; and the June 7 parliamentary election in Armenia, including constitutional changes, border concessions, the gas pipeline rerouting issue, and the use of surveillance and arrests against opposition figures.

Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • 2016 April War
  • Aftermath of Pashinyan in Moscow
  • Domestic Politics & Election

Episode 530 | Recorded: April 7, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey

Topics:

  • Iran War Update
  • 2016 April War
  • Aftermath of Pashinyan in Moscow
  • Domestic Politics & Election

Episode 530 | Recorded: April 7, 2026

#Groong #Armenia

Transcript: Hovik & Asbed - Iran War, April 2016 War, Armenia & Russia, Politics & Election | Ep 530, Apr 5, 2026 [EP530]

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2026 | Category: Iran, Armenia, Politics, Election, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, European Union, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Transcript

In this Week in Review, Hovik and Asbed discussed the escalating US-Israeli war on Iran and the danger of a wider regional catastrophe; we reflected on the tenth anniversary of the April 2016 Four-Day War and what it revealed about Armenia’s military and diplomatic posture; we examined the fallout from Pashinyan’s Moscow visit and the increasingly blunt Russian response, and reviewed the fast-moving Armenian election campaign, including pressure on the opposition, EU involvement, and the emerging strategies of major the various alliances.

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War Fears, June Vote Rules, State-Church Clash | Ep 519, Feb 22, 2026 [EP519]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Genocide, Armenian Church, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 519 | Recorded: February 25, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus

Dziunik Aghajanian - Iran War Fears, June Vote Rules, State-Church Clash | Ep 519, Feb 22, 2026 [EP519]

Posted on Thursday, Feb 26, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Genocide, Armenian Church, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • Iran War Fears
  • June Parliamentary Elections
  • Attacks on the Armenian Church

Episode 519 | Recorded: February 25, 2026

#Armenia #Iran #ArmeniaElections #ArmenianChurch #SouthCaucasus

Zaroui Pogossian - Vardanank, The Battle of Avarayr in 451 AD | Ep 518, Feb 24, 2026 [EP518]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Medieval Armenia, Armenian Church, Iran | Series: gdh, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vardanank Wars and Battle of Avarayr
  • Armenian Sources, Yeghishe and Parpetsi
  • Politics, Christianity, Nakharar Power Dynamics

Episode 518 | Recorded: February 22, 2026

#GroongDeepHistory #Vardanank #BattleOfAvarayr #ArmenianHistory #ZarouiPogossian

Zaroui Pogossian - Vardanank, The Battle of Avarayr in 451 AD | Ep 518, Feb 24, 2026 [EP518]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 | Category: Armenia, History, Medieval Armenia, Armenian Church, Iran

Guest:

Topics:

  • Vardanank Wars and Battle of Avarayr
  • Armenian Sources, Yeghishe and Parpetsi
  • Politics, Christianity, Nakharar Power Dynamics

Episode 518 | Recorded: February 22, 2026

#GroongDeepHistory #Vardanank #BattleOfAvarayr #ArmenianHistory #ZarouiPogossian

JD Vance in Armenia and Azerbaijan | Ep 517, Feb 15, 2026 [EP517]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Genocide, Georgia, Israel, China, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Topics:

  • Vance visit, protocol and optics
  • Tsitsernakaberd tweet, “autocorrect diplomacy”
  • TRIPP corridor stake and sovereignty risks
  • Nuclear SMR deal, costs and dependency
  • Firebird AI project, power and value
  • Drones, church silence, Baku charter and prisoners

Episode 517 | Recorded: February 13, 2026

#Groong #Armenia #JDVance #Tsitsernakaberd #TRIPP

JD Vance in Armenia and Azerbaijan | Ep 517, Feb 15, 2026 [EP517]

Posted on Sunday, Feb 15, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Armenian Genocide, Iran, Russia, Genocide, Georgia, Israel, China, Ukraine

Topics:

  • Vance visit, protocol and optics
  • Tsitsernakaberd tweet, “autocorrect diplomacy”
  • TRIPP corridor stake and sovereignty risks
  • Nuclear SMR deal, costs and dependency
  • Firebird AI project, power and value
  • Drones, church silence, Baku charter and prisoners

Episode 517 | Recorded: February 13, 2026

#Groong #Armenia #JDVance #Tsitsernakaberd #TRIPP

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 516, Feb 8, 2026 [EP516]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Armenian Church, European Union, Iran, China, Ukraine, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Genocide, Economy, Geopolitics, India, NATO | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • A European View of America
  • JD Vance in Armenia
  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Europe and Armenia

Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026

Philippe Raffi Kalfayan - Europe and America, JD Vance in Armenia, Pashinyan vs. Church | Ep 516, Feb 8, 2026 [EP516]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, USA, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Syria, Armenian Church, European Union, Iran, China, Ukraine, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Genocide, Economy, Geopolitics, India, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • A European View of America
  • JD Vance in Armenia
  • Pashinyan vs. The Armenian Church
  • Europe and Armenia

Episode 516 | Recorded: February 9, 2026

James Carden & Pietro Shakarian - Global Affairs in the Age of Trump 2.0 | Ep 515, Feb 7, 2026 [EP515]

Posted on Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 | Category: USA, TRIPP, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Economy, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, India, Middle East, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump 2.0 and the “Donroe Doctrine”
  • Rules-Based Disorder?
  • Iran vs. the “Big, Beautiful Armada”
  • US Cohesion and Midterms
  • JD Vance in the South Caucasus

Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026

James Carden & Pietro Shakarian - Global Affairs in the Age of Trump 2.0 | Ep 515, Feb 7, 2026 [EP515]

Posted on Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 | Category: USA, TRIPP, Iran, Armenia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Economy, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, India, Middle East, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Trump 2.0 and the “Donroe Doctrine”
  • Rules-Based Disorder?
  • Iran vs. the “Big, Beautiful Armada”
  • US Cohesion and Midterms
  • JD Vance in the South Caucasus

Episode 515 | Recorded: February 6, 2026

Joel Veldkamp - Christian Solidarity International Visits Armenian Bishops in Jail | Ep 513, Feb 4, 2026 [EP513]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Iran | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • CSI Visits Jailed Cleric
  • IRF Summit
  • PACE MP Speaks Up

Episode 513 | Recorded: February 3, 2026

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #IRFSummit2026 #ChristianSolidarityInternational

Joel Veldkamp - Christian Solidarity International Visits Armenian Bishops in Jail | Ep 513, Feb 4, 2026 [EP513]

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Human Rights, Artsakh Blockade, China, NATO, Iran

Guest:

Topics:

  • CSI Visits Jailed Cleric
  • IRF Summit
  • PACE MP Speaks Up

Episode 513 | Recorded: February 3, 2026

#ArmenianChurch #ReligiousFreedom #ClergyArrests #IRFSummit2026 #ChristianSolidarityInternational

Asbed & Hovik - Iran, Varchaband, War on Church, Mehmet Oz, Strong Armenia, Noragyugh | Ep 512, Feb 1, 2026 [EP512]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, BRICS, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Ukraine | Series: wir, video

Topics:

  • Iran Conflict
  • Varchaband
  • War on Armenian Church
  • Mehmet Oz vs Armenian Americans
  • Narek Karapetyan and Strong Armenia
  • A Big Beautiful Noragyugh

Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Asbed & Hovik - Iran, Varchaband, War on Church, Mehmet Oz, Strong Armenia, Noragyugh | Ep 512, Feb 1, 2026 [EP512]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenian Church, BRICS, Russia, Turkey, China, India, Ukraine

Topics:

  • Iran Conflict
  • Varchaband
  • War on Armenian Church
  • Mehmet Oz vs Armenian Americans
  • Narek Karapetyan and Strong Armenia
  • A Big Beautiful Noragyugh

Episode 512 | Recorded: February 2, 2026

#IranIsraelWar #TrumpArmada #ArmenianChurch #Pashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026 [EP510]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Iran, Economy, Georgia, Human Rights, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Memorial Day vs. Army Day
  • JD Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Armenian Church Developments
  • Strong Armenia - New Political Party

Episode 510 | Recorded: Jnauary 27, 2026

Arthur Khachatryan - Army Day, JD Vance to Armenia, TRIPP, Church, Strong Armenia Political Party | Ep 510, Jan 27, 2026 [EP510]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, Iran, Economy, Georgia, Human Rights, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • Memorial Day vs. Army Day
  • JD Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Armenian Church Developments
  • Strong Armenia - New Political Party

Episode 510 | Recorded: Jnauary 27, 2026

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia’s Political Crisis | Ep 507, Jan 17, 2026 [EP507]

Posted on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Elections, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, European Union, Economy, Syria, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Return of Four Hostages
  • Pashinyan vs. Church
  • TRIPP
  • Armenia Parliamentary Election

Episode 507 | Recorded: January 16, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #TRIPP #ArmenianChurch #POWs

Anna Grigoryan - Armenia’s Political Crisis | Ep 507, Jan 17, 2026 [EP507]

Posted on Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Artsakh, Elections, Politics, Armenian Church, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey, European Union, Economy, Syria, Human Rights, Georgia, Israel, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Return of Four Hostages
  • Pashinyan vs. Church
  • TRIPP
  • Armenia Parliamentary Election

Episode 507 | Recorded: January 16, 2026

#AnnaGrigoryan #Armenia #ArmenianPolitics #TRIPP #ArmenianChurch #POWs

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Arthur Martirosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Baku Pogroms, Church Clash | Ep 505, Jan 11, 2026 [EP505]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, Armenian Genocide, Artsakh Blockade, European Union, Iran, Israel, Economy, Georgia, Middle East, Syria, China, Genocide

Guest:

Topics:

  • Ukraine war’s global cost to Russia
  • Iran unrest and war risk
  • Remembering the Baku pogroms
  • Russia-Armenia tensions and media threats
  • Pashinyan’s clash with Armenian Church

Episode 505 | Recorded: January 13, 2026

Kevork Hagopjian - Armenia’s Church-State Showdown | Ep 504, Jan 13, 2026 [EP504]

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Human Rights, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, NATO, European Union | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Legal Architecture: Autonomy, Exclusive Mission, and State Neutrality
  • Engineering Parallel, Schismatic Structures
  • Criminal Law as Leverage
  • Bern in Action and Reaction
  • The Deeper Stakes: National Identity

Episode 504 | Recorded: January 12, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianChurch #Etchmiadzin #HumanRights #ReligiousFreedom

Kevork Hagopjian - Armenia’s Church-State Showdown | Ep 504, Jan 13, 2026 [EP504]

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Human Rights, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, NATO, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • The Legal Architecture: Autonomy, Exclusive Mission, and State Neutrality
  • Engineering Parallel, Schismatic Structures
  • Criminal Law as Leverage
  • Bern in Action and Reaction
  • The Deeper Stakes: National Identity

Episode 504 | Recorded: January 12, 2026

#Armenia #ArmenianChurch #Etchmiadzin #HumanRights #ReligiousFreedom

Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026 [EP503]

Posted on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Turkey, Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, NATO, India | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan Attacks: Geopolitics or Vendetta?
  • Renegade Bishops: Demands and Narratives
  • Stolen Church Property
  • From Christmas to Easter

Episode 503 | Recorded: January 9, 2026

#ArmenianApostolicChurch #ArmenianChurch #Garegin #Catholicos #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Fr. Serop Azarian - Armenian Church Under Attack | Ep 503, Jan 11, 2026 [EP503]

Posted on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Armenian Church, Politics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh Blockade, Armenian Genocide, Georgia, Turkey, Genocide, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, Israel, NATO, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan Attacks: Geopolitics or Vendetta?
  • Renegade Bishops: Demands and Narratives
  • Stolen Church Property
  • From Christmas to Easter

Episode 503 | Recorded: January 9, 2026

#ArmenianApostolicChurch #ArmenianChurch #Garegin #Catholicos #NikolPashinyan #ArmenianDiaspora

Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Russia-Iran Relations
  • TRIPP and Russian-Armenian Relations

Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026

#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP

Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan

Guest:

Topics:

  • Venezuela
  • Ukraine War
  • Russia-Iran Relations
  • TRIPP and Russian-Armenian Relations

Episode 502 | Recorded: January 8, 2026

#FyodorLukyanov #RussiaGeopolitics #UkraineWar #IranIsrael #VenezuelaCrisis #TRIPP

Transcript: Fyodor Lukyanov - Russia in Evolving Global Geopolitics | Ep 502, Jan 9, 2026 [EP502]

Posted on Friday, Jan 9, 2026 | Category: Iran, Russia, Armenia, Israel, Politics, China, Ukraine, Armenian Church, Artsakh Blockade, BRICS, European Union, NATO, Azerbaijan, Transcript

Fyodor Lukyanov joins Groong to discuss how Moscow reads a fast-shifting global landscape, from the U.S. raid in Venezuela and maritime seizures at sea, to Trump’s Greenland rhetoric, the stalled endgame in Ukraine, the likelihood of a renewed Israel-Iran war, and how TRIPP and “unblocking” disputes in Armenia’s south fit into Russia’s regional priorities.

Hrant Mikaelian - Venezuela, Attacks on the Armenian Church Continue, MPG Poll Results | Ep 501, Jan 4, 2026 [EP501]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Economy, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, Iran, NATO, Syria | Series: wir, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Developments in Venezuela
  • Attacks on Armenian Church Continue
  • New MPG Poll Results

Episode 501 | Recorded: January 6, 2026

#VenezuelaCrisis #ArmenianChurch #MPGPoll #ArmeniaEconomy #Geopolitics

Hrant Mikaelian - Venezuela, Attacks on the Armenian Church Continue, MPG Poll Results | Ep 501, Jan 4, 2026 [EP501]

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 7, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Poll, Armenian Church, Economy, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, BRICS, Russia, China, Geopolitics, Georgia, Human Rights, Iran, NATO, Syria

Guest:

Topics:

  • Developments in Venezuela
  • Attacks on Armenian Church Continue
  • New MPG Poll Results

Episode 501 | Recorded: January 6, 2026

#VenezuelaCrisis #ArmenianChurch #MPGPoll #ArmeniaEconomy #Geopolitics

Benyamin Poghosyan - Ukraine, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, TRIPP, Review & Outlook | Ep 500, Dec 28, 2025 [EP500]

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran, Armenian Church, Ukraine, Georgia, China, NATO, Economy, European Union, Syria, India, Middle East, Genocide, Lebanon | Series: video, wir

Guest:

Topics:

  • Foreign Crises Affecting Armenia
  • Armenia-Azerbaijan Saga
  • Russia and TRIPP
  • Change of US Ambassador
  • Year-End Review & Outlook

Episode 500 | Recorded: December 31, 2025