Church conflict escalates as clergyman is interrogated

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan reported that Father Sarkis Sargsyan, who was to lead mass at Hovhannavank on Sunday, October 26, has been summoned by investigative authorities for questioning at 9:00 a.m. that same day.

Zohrabyan stated that this timing creates conditions for the liturgy to be performed instead by Stepan Asatryan, the defrocked cleric formerly known as Father Aram Asatryan, who has been stripped of priesthood by decree of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Despite the decree, Asatryan has announced he will hold mass at the monastery.

According to Zohrabyan, police were supposed to prevent unauthorized entry to the church grounds at 4:00 p.m., but officers on site declined to intervene, saying they had not received a formal request. He claimed many plainclothes officers were present during the incident.

“The investigator, by summoning Father Sarkis at this specific time, is effectively facilitating the unauthorized liturgical service by Stepan Asatryan and thus contributing to a crime obstructing the proper performance of a religious rite,” Zohrabyan stated.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced he plans to attend the Sunday liturgy.