Armenian court upholds bishop’s claim against Garegin II

A court in Armenia’s Armavir region, led by Judge Edgar Hovhannisyan, refused to lift the injunction keeping former head of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, in his position until a final ruling is issued.

The defence of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin had sought to remove the provisional measures requiring Saroyan to remain in office, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

On January 10, by order of Catholicos Garegin II, Saroyan—who had demanded the resignation of the head of the Armenian Church—was removed as diocesan head.

Saroyan filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement, and on January 16, court bailiffs barred the Catholicos from interfering with his duties as diocesan leader. The ruling also grants Saroyan control over the diocese’s finances.

Following this, on January 27, Garegin II stripped Saroyan of his episcopal rank, which authorities say constitutes a refusal to comply with the court order, prompting a legal case.

By Jeyhun Aghazada