Armenia cleric who participated in ‘Divine Liturgy’ offered by defrocked priest also defrocked
Under the direction of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Thursday, Father Taron Hunanyan, a cleric of the Diocese of Tavush of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has been declared defrocked, NEWS.am learned from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The decision was based on the report by the locum tenens of the Diocese of Tavush and the conclusion of the Mother See’s Committee on Awards and Disciplinary Matters, which stated that Hunanyan:
- a) Voluntarily left his service post since May 2024,
- b) Ignored the instructions and exhortations of the locum tenens of the Diocese of Tavush and persisted in disobedient behavior,
- c) Participated in the uncanonical ceremony organized by the previously defrocked Stepan Asatryan, thereby becoming an accomplice to the defrocked priest,
- d) Discredited the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and fellow clergy through public statements and declarations,
- e) Exhibited disrespectful conduct toward the highest ecclesiastical authority and violated his oath of obedience.
The defrocked cleric will henceforth be considered a layperson under the name “Vardan Hunanyan.”
