Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently met with Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia in Ottawa, during which a number of politically charged issues were discussed. Interestingly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent criticism of the clergy contained a rare moment of logic - his question as to “why the Church is more preoccupied with politics than with spiritual and moral matters.” This argument has now moved beyond rhetoric, sparking serious internal divisions within Armenia itself.

In practice, it has become almost customary for Armenian clerics to act as parallel politicians, discussing every issue, whether or not they understand it, and attempting to govern alongside the government.

It is therefore hardly surprising that during Catholicos Aram I’s recent meeting with the Canadian PM, topics entirely outside the Church’s mandate were raised, including calls for the illegal return of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh to the territory of Azerbaijan, appeals for the release of Armenian citizens convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity committed in Garabagh, and several other irrelevant political matters.

It is no coincidence that this narrative is being revived and being mentioned again and again, at a moment when Azerbaijan and Armenia are moving closer toward signing a long-awaited peace agreement. Similar topics have surfaced in other diplomatic contexts, including during the Washington Talks in August and a bilateral exchange between the Speakers of Parliament of both countries in........

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