Why was Priest Taron Hunanyan Defrocked?

6 NOV 2025 14:45

On November 6, by the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Fr. Taron Hunanyan, a spiritual servant of the Diocese of Tavush, was declared defrocked. This was reported by the Information System of the Mother See, presenting the justifications. The order was based on a report from the Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Tavush and the conclusion of the Committee on Awards and Disciplinary Issues of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, according to which the latter:

Voluntarily abandoned his place of service since May 2024,
Ignored the exhortations and instructions of the Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Tavush and persisted in a disorderly course,
Participated in an anti-canonical ceremony organized by the defrocked Stepan Asatryan, becoming an accomplice to the defrocked individual,
Discredited the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and fellow clergymen through public speeches and statements,
Exhibited disrespectful behavior towards the highest ecclesiastical authority and broke his vow of obedience.

The defrocked clergyman will henceforth be ranked among the laity under his baptismal name, Vardan Hunanyan, reports the Mother See.