Defense Minister Suren Papikyan published a decree on Facebook, officially dissolving the current chaplaincy structure within the Armenian Armed Forces and outlining the creation of a new spiritual service.
“Dear colleagues, to avoid misinterpretations, I am publishing the decree that regulates the organization of spiritual service within the Armed Forces,” Papikyan wrote.
The decree states: “Starting February 1, 2026, terminate the activities of the head of the Spiritual Service of the Armenian Armed Forces and other clergy appointed by the Armenian Apostolic Church within the Ministry of Defense.”
Until the new system takes effect, existing military chaplains, both senior and junior, will continue their duties under the overall coordination of the General Staff's Moral-Psychological Support Department and the direct supervision of their unit commanders.
Within three days, proposals must be submitted to establish positions for senior and junior chaplains with the military ranks of major and captain. A key requirement for these roles will be having received theological education from the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Deacon Samvel Grigoryan responded to the decision, stating: “Dissolving the Armed Forces’ spiritual chaplaincy and closing church doors to soldiers, the wounded, and medical staff is not merely an administrative step. It is an unprecedented regression in our modern history, undermining the spiritual security of our army and people.”
MP Gegham Manukyan criticized the move in a Facebook broadcast, stating: “Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has effectively revoked a decision initiated during the time of the late Vazgen Sargsyan.”
“Just imagine, by Papikyan’s order, the initiative of Vazgen Sargsyan has been canceled. From February 1, there will be no spiritual service or leadership in the army. The chaplaincy institution will cease to exist. Everyone, including chaplains, must become regular military personnel.”
“These are chaplains who, since 1997, through the joint initiative of the late Catholicos Karekin I and Vazgen Sargsyan, have served alongside our soldiers, even during combat. Some were killed during the 44-day war; others are still missing or wounded, yet none abandoned their duty.”
“Today, Papikyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have decided the Armed Forces no longer need spiritual service. The Kanaker Church, the army’s church, will no longer see soldiers, once regular attendees at Sunday liturgies. The Holy Cross of Ashot Yerkat, once the spiritual emblem of our military, will no longer be connected to the army,” he continued.
Manukyan called the decision a direct attack on the Armenian Apostolic Church: “This is a cowardly, malicious, sectarian, and hostile campaign. They saw that despite recent pressure on chaplains, not one betrayed the Catholicos, just as none betrayed their homeland during war. They realized they couldn’t break them, and now they’ve eliminated the system entirely.”
“During Army Day celebrations, while Pashinyan made ignorant remarks in front of Artsakh veterans and denied Artsakh, this decree eliminates the quiet, devoted spiritual service within our Armed Forces. Let’s see what further calamities they bring upon us,” Manukyan concluded.
