Armenian priest rejects baptism with pro-government MP as godfather

Panorama

Fr. Sebeos Ghalachyan, the spiritual leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church community in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, has refused to perform a baptism with ruling Civil Contract party MP Narek Grigoryan as the godfather.

Fr. Sebeos stated that the godfather in baptism must be a devout and respectful Christian who upholds the values and authority of the Armenian Apostolic Church. “The godfather becomes the child’s spiritual parent, responsible for their Christian upbringing,” he said.

According to the priest, Grigoryan failed to meet those standards. “I was willing to proceed with the baptism if the family chose a different godfather – someone respectful toward the church’s hierarchy,” he said. The priest revealed that during the dispute, Grigoryan used offensive language against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, threatening to “kick him out of the Mother See”.

“Could I allow such a person to take on the sacred role of godfather in the Armenian church?” the priest asked.

Grigoryan, known for his support of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s anti-church campaign, previously accused clergy of corruption and claimed they refused to consecrate a renovated church in Noratus without payment.

The baptism was eventually conducted with a different godfather.