Armenian Apostolic Holy Church Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the troubling developments that have recently taken place at Hovhannavank Monastery, namely the holding of inappropriate events on monastery property—in this instance, a banquet—which disrupt the monastery’s spiritual and prayerful atmosphere and cause concern among residents.

This situation is a direct consequence of the authorities’ open patronage and tolerance toward the defrocked Stepan Asatryan, resulting in a blatant violation of the laws of the Republic of Armenia and the rights of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

The unlawful occupation of Hovhannavank and the acts of arbitrariness taking place there also offend the religious sentiments of the faithful and infringe upon their rights by misleading devout visitors through the performance of invalid rites and religious ceremonies.

Deeming these developments unacceptable, the Mother See once again calls upon the competent state authorities to refrain from divisive interference in the life of the Church and to restore the lawful status of all occupied churches.