Page 203 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

204 The Armenian Church

of the location of the political authority, it
moved into a closer partnership with the
political authorities; this partnership was
beneficial to both the Church and the state.
On the other hand, this church-state co-
habitation often provided space and oppor-
tunity for state authorities to intervene in
internal church affairs, including the election
of diocesan bishops and even catholicoi. At
times, the Church was bound to follow the
arrangements made by state authorities; at
other times, it criticized them or simply
remained silent.
Today in Armenia, the Armenian Church
is a national church with special privileges.
At the same time, the constitution protects
religious freedom. These two approaches in
respect to religion may create tension and
raise critical questions if they are not clearly
interpreted and properly respected in their
implementation. Although there is official
church-state separation in Armenia, the
Church’s status as a national church may
put it in a precarious situation when it
comes to either supporting or opposing the
state agenda. In a small and still shaky
republic that is confronting huge challenges
and acute problems, the role of the Ar-
menian Church should be fundamentally
prophetic and it should avoid creating an
atmosphere of confrontation or polarization.
This prophetic role, which emanates from