Armenian media: Catholicos Garegin II targets yet another defiant priest

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II has reportedly continued taking disciplinary action against clergymen who have defied his authority.

This time, the focus has turned to Father Tade Tahmazyan, the parish priest of the Holy Mother of God Church in Talin, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Echmiadzin is expected to discuss disciplinary measures against him. Tahmazyan is one of three priests who have publicly spoken out against what they described as “corrupt practices” within the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The development follows Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s attendance at a liturgy led by Father Aram Asatryan at the Hovhannavank Monastery a day earlier. Asatryan was the first priest to challenge the Catholicos and was subsequently defrocked by Garegin II. Tahmazyan also took part in that service.

According to anti-Pashinyan media outlets, “Tade Tahmazyan participated in a ‘service’ at Hovhannavank, conducted by the defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan, which was also attended by the Armenian prime minister. After the ceremony, Pashinyan announced that he would attend Sunday service at the Talin Church, where Tahmazyan will officiate.”

Reports add that the church in Talin remains under the jurisdiction of the Echmiadzin.

By Aghakazim Guliyev