Pashinyan Has Transitioned to the Interpretation of Heavenly Laws: Former President of Armenia

The new article by the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, is dedicated to Nikol Pashinyan's recent statements.

"I would like to note in advance that my post is entirely consistent with the wonderful interview by Mikhail Sarbazian, published yesterday (Hraparak, March 22, 2023). I just want to add a few details to it.

After dealing with earthly 'trivial' problems, Pashinyan has transitioned to the interpretation of heavenly laws. The Prime Minister, who has 'mastered' the art of Psalmism to perfection, has now decided to contribute his significant share to the field of theology.

Recently, during a speech in the National Assembly, he made the following dramatic statement, addressing the world: 'If the Church's relations with the government are not good, then the Church's relations are not good with God. This is in accordance with Christian doctrine,' citing the following passage from the Bible as justification: 'There is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God' (Romans 1-2). He then added, 'Let the church think about its essence, doctrine, and faith.'

It seems that, with his flawed (in reality, manipulative) reasoning, Pashinyan has put the Church in an untenable position. There is no doubt that Pashinyan is entirely correct that, according to the Bible, authority is granted by God. However, he has no idea how God 'technically' carries out His function of power assignment. To Pashinyan's great disappointment, God performs this function through the Church.

All rulers in the Christian world have earned this grace through the blessing of the Church leader (in Armenia, the Catholicos; in the Latin world, the Pope of Rome; in the Greek Orthodox realm, the Patriarch of Constantinople). The ruler would kneel before the Church leader, receiving their blessing and consecration, and then swearing their oath.

Accordingly, Pashinyan stands before a serious dilemma. At times, he claims that he was elected by the people in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Armenia; at other times, he suggests, at his discretion, that he has been appointed by God as the leader of Armenia. Therefore, it follows that in the second case, he is obliged to submit to the Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians. The solution to Pashinyan's spiritual torments is singular: he must choose between the aforementioned options, either one or the other. Although it cannot be ruled out that, at some moment of prophetic vision, he may also declare himself the Messiah (Savior) and put an end to it all.