Opposition MP: Defense Minister to abolish spiritual guidance unit in  Armenian Armed Forces effective February 1

ArmInfo.  Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has signed a decree to abolish the spiritual guidance unit within the Ministry of Defense in the Armenian Armed Forces, effective February 1, 2026. All chaplains will become military personnel.  Gegham Manukyan, NA deputy from the opposition "Armenia" faction, shared this information on his Facebook page.

The MP recalled that chaplains who had been serving in the Ministry of Defense since 1997 had been providing support to military personnel. Among them, he noted, were those who had either died in the 44- day war of 2020, been wounded, or gone missing. "As a result of this decision, the 'Ashot Erkat' cross, which has been a symbol of protection for our servicemen, will no longer have any relation to the army.  These actions align within the anti-church campaign logic (launched by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan - ed.)."

Manukyan noted that all of this is essentially happening after the celebration of the Armenian Army Day on January 28. "One can only wonder what further trials the Armenian people will have to endure," the MP concluded.

It should be noted that Suren Papikyan had confirmed this information. On his Facebook page, he posted a link to a decree which, according to him, regulates the organization of spiritual services in the Armenian Armed Forces.

Recall, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a broad anti-church campaign in May 2025, demanding the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians. As part of this campaign, several clergy members were arrested. Moreover, a group of bishops has joined Pashinyan in demanding the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Furthermore, the Armenian authorities are preventing the convening of a Bishops' Conference outside Armenia to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).