Day: October 21, 2025

BREAKING: The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has announced that Fr. Aram Asatryan has been defrocked by directive of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.

According to the official statement, the decision followed a detailed report from the Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn and the conclusions of the Committee on Church Awards and Disciplinary Issues. The findings determined that Asatryan had repeatedly violated church order and engaged in conduct damaging to the reputation of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The committee cited several instances of misconduct, including:
– Public statements discrediting the Armenian Church, the diocesan leadership, and other clergy;
– Persistent defiance of directives issued by the Diocesan Primate;
– Omission of the names of the Catholicos and the Diocesan Primate during liturgies, an act that, according to the Church, effectively placed him outside its communion;
– Refusal to appear before the disciplinary committee and violation of his vow of obedience.

As a result, Asatryan has been stripped of his priestly rank and will henceforth be regarded as a layperson under his baptismal name, Stepan Asatryan.

Church representatives emphasized that while defrocking is an exceptional measure, it was deemed necessary to uphold ecclesiastical discipline and protect the moral and institutional integrity of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Stepan Asatryan told 24News that he is currently at Hovhannavank Monastery and intends to remain there despite the decision.

— 301arm (@301arm) Oct 21, 2025