Mother See Condemns PM-Backed Event at Hovhannavank Monastery

The Mother See has issued a statement regarding the event planned at Hovhannavank on October 26. Recalling that the spiritual servant of the Aragatsotn diocese, Father Aram Asatryan, has been declared defrocked and is to be called by his baptismal name, Stepan Asatryan, in the ranks of the laity, the Mother See emphasizes that he has no right to conduct church rites.

"Stepan Asatryan, ignoring the legal demands of the Mother See, refuses to hand over the keys to the church and vacate the territory of Hovhannavank. We regret that the disciplinary measures taken by the Mother See and the decision of defrocking as a result of Father Aram's disorderly conduct are being unnecessarily speculated upon by representatives of the ruling political force. Particularly condemnable is the soul-destroying initiative of Stepan Asatryan to organize an event under the name of Holy Liturgy at Hovhannavank with the support of the prime minister. This is another attempt by the leader of the ruling political force to divide the Church, with all its illegal and anti-church manifestations.

Churches, monasteries, and other shrines are the heritage of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, and regardless of the ownership rights to these historical and cultural values, the canonical right to perform religious rites and offer liturgies is exclusively reserved for the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

We want to state with importance that the steps taken by the former clergyman are obstructing the legitimate service of the priests serving at Hovhannavank, the sanctuary is being desecrated, and those participating in the reprehensible process are being made complicit in anti-canonical actions," the Mother See wrote, urging law enforcement agencies to prevent the illegalities and to ensure the normal service of the priests serving at Hovhannavank and the spiritual-prayerful atmosphere of the sanctuary.