Opposition Armenian MP comments on premier`s proposal for performance  of Armenian national anthem at church services 

ArmInfo.  "Perhaps Nikol Pashinyan (RA Prime Minister) would also like to see songs by singers who are close to him in spirit performed in the churches of the  Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC)?" This was the reaction of Garnik  Danielyan, a member of parliament from the opposition Hayastan  faction, speaking to journalists in parliament on December 8,  commenting on the Prime Minister's proposal to perform the national  anthem before Sunday services and to install Armenian flags in AAC  churches.

As a reminder, Pashinyan made a similar proposal the day before,  stating that "in 301, the Armenian Apostolic Church was established  by the state, by a decision of the state. Therefore, he believes it  would be appropriate for choirs in all churches to perform the  national anthem of the Republic of Armenia before Sunday liturgies at  10:55 AM." Today, the Prime Minister noted that this is in keeping  with the text of the liturgy, which "mentions a 'supreme state,'" and  therefore it is important to perform the anthem, emphasizing the  connection between the 'supreme' and 'earthly' states. Furthermore,  it turns out Pashinyan decided to take his patriotism even further,  stating that the issue of displaying the national flag of the  Republic of Armenia either at the entrance to or inside churches  located in the Republic of Armenia should also be discussed, which is  'an accepted practice in a number of countries.'

"Or maybe we should play something by Super Sako (Super Sako is an  Armenian-American rapper, singer, DJ, and producer working in the  hip-hop and rap genres). It's not out of the question that we could  come to this one morning. It's a disgrace.

And this is not surprising, since the National Security Service,  which is gradually turning into the NKVD, goes and 'asks' priests not  to mention the name of the Catholicos or the name of Artsakh in  liturgies," Garnik Danielyan emphasized.

Earlier, reports circulated that NSS officers were asking priests in  Gyumri churches not to mention the Catholicos' name during Sunday  liturgies that the prime minister might attend. Then, during a  briefing, Pashinyan acknowledged that the National Security Service  was asking clergy not to mention the name of Catholicos of All  Armenians Garegin II during liturgies in which he participated. "I  attend liturgies where the name of Ktrich Nersisyan (the secular name  of Garegin II) is not mentioned. When I plan to participate in a  liturgy, we ask that the fact that we do not consider Nersisyan a  Catholicos be taken into account," Pashinyan said. Responding to a  journalist's assertion that this was not the NSS's responsibility,  Pashinyan noted that if he attends a liturgy at a church, that area  is considered a state-protected facility where certain activities are  carried out. "The Church also analyzes people's approaches and  views-whether they are radical or not-to ensure security," the Prime  Minister stated. When asked how exactly the use of the Catholicos'  name threatens the Prime Minister's security, Pashinyan replied that  "Ktrich Nersisyan is a threat to Armenia's security."

As a reminder, according to the Constitution, Armenia is a secular  state, where church and state are separate. At the same time, the  "exclusive mission" of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) in  preserving national identity is recognized.