The provision regarding the Armenian Apostolic Church has not been removed from the country's new Constitution draft.
Modern.az reports, citing Armenian media, that this was stated by the country's Minister of Justice, Srbuhi Galyan, during her speech in parliament.
According to the minister, the provision regarding the church is currently included in the text of the draft:
“The provision regarding the Armenian Church has not been removed from the new Constitution draft. Currently, that provision is included in the text.”
Galyan reminded that it is currently only a draft, and the final text of the Constitution must be approved by a nationwide vote. The minister also stated that various conspiracy theories around the new Constitution are being artificially created.
It should be noted that in Armenia's current Constitution, issues of religion and church are regulated by two separate articles.
According to Article 17 of the Constitution, religious organizations are separate from the state, and their freedom of activity is ensured.
Article 18, however, recognizes the “exclusive mission as a national church” of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, in the development of its national culture, and in the preservation of its national identity. It is also noted that relations between the state and the church can be regulated by a separate law.
Thus, although the Armenian Apostolic Church does not have the status of a state religion, it is recognized in the current Constitution with a special historical and national status, unlike other religious organizations.
Galyan had previously stated in February and July 2026 that the issue of maintaining or removing the provision regarding the Armenian Apostolic Church in the new Constitution was not discussed.
