Statement of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
24.10.2025
By the directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, dated October 21, 2025, and based on the conclusion of the Commission for Awards and Disciplinary Matters of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the clergyman of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, Fr. Aram Asatryan, having exhausted all reasonable opportunities granted to him to return to the canonical order—including three refusals to appear before the Commission—has been defrocked and reduced to the status of a layman, to be known henceforth by his baptismal name, Stepan Asatryan.
Pursuant to this decision, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin officially notified Stepan Asatryan that, in accordance with Church canons, he is prohibited from performing any liturgical rites, sacraments, or actions reserved exclusively for ordained clergy.
Stepan Asatryan was also instructed to vacate the Hovhannavank Monastery by October 23 of this year and hand over the church keys to the Chairman of the Administrative Council of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, Rev. Fr. hieromonk Shnorhk Paloyan, as well as to vacate the apartment provided to him by the Mother See for service purposes no later than January 15, 2026.
At the same time, Stepan Asatryan was informed that henceforth all liturgical services at Hovhannavank will be conducted by the priests assigned to that location, and he was strongly admonished to refrain from any attempts to obstruct these services, including the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, which constitutes not only a grave canonical violation but also an act subject to criminal liability.
It should be noted that Stepan Asatryan, disregarding the lawful directives of the Mother See, continues to refuse to hand over the church keys and vacate the premises of Hovhannavank. We regret that the disciplinary measures undertaken by the Mother See in response to Rev. Fr. Aram’s canonical violations, as well as the decision to terminate his ministry, are being unjustly exploited by representatives of the ruling political authorities.
Particularly deplorable is Stepan Asatryan’s spiritually harmful initiative—undertaken with the support of the Prime Minister—to organize an event under the guise of the Holy Liturgy at Hovhannavank. This represents yet another attempt by the head of the ruling political force to sow division within the Church, manifested in unlawful and anti-ecclesiastical actions.
Churches, monasteries, and other sanctuaries are the heritage of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, and regardless of ownership rights over these historical and cultural monuments, the canonical right to perform religious services and celebrate liturgies belongs exclusively to the Armenian Apostolic Church.
It is important to emphasize that the actions of the former clergyman obstruct the lawful ministry of the priests serving at Hovhannavank, desecrate the holy site, and render those who participate complicit in uncanonical deeds.
We call upon law enforcement authorities to prevent these unlawful acts and to ensure the regular ministry of the priests serving at Hovhannavank, as well as to preserve the spiritual and prayerful atmosphere of the sanctuary.
SUPREME SPIRITUAL COUNCIL
