Catholicos on principle: Pashinyan may be barred from defrocked priest’s liturgy

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church has indicated that legal measures could be used to prevent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from attending a service led by a priest recently stripped of his clerical status.

According to Caliber.Az, Father Esayi Artenyan said: “This coming Sunday, all lawful means will be employed to restore spiritual and prayer life at Ovannavank, as well as to conduct the liturgy with a model priest serving in the church.”

Armenian media have reported that Father Aram Asatryan of Ovannavank was recently defrocked by the Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II.

Father Asatryan, however, has rejected the decision and intends to continue his ministry, planning to lead a liturgy at Ovannavank on Sunday (October 26).

Prime Minister Pashinyan has confirmed that he plans to attend the ceremony.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Armenian government and the church over the role of defrocked clergy in public religious life.

On October 22, Pashinyan publicly challenged the authority of Catholicos Karekin II, claiming he had been defrocked for violating his vow of celibacy. Ahead of a planned liturgy at Ohanavank Monastery on 26 October, Pashinyan said he would attend under Father Aram Asatryan, recently stripped of his clerical status by Karekin II.

Pashinyan described the Catholicos as no longer a legitimate clergy member and criticised the lack of spaces for genuine spiritual life in Armenia. He asserted that attempts to discredit Father Asatryan would fail and called for state support of the priest’s work.

The dispute follows Karekin II’s decision on 21 October to defrock Father Asatryan over alleged breaches of church discipline and public statements discrediting the Armenian Apostolic Church.

By Aghakazim Guliyev