Defrocked priests sue Armenian Apostolic Church

Panarmenian.net

Former clergymen Aram (Stepan Asatryan) and Tade (Aramayis Takhmazyan), who were stripped of their priestly status, have filed separate lawsuits against the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction has accepted both cases for review, according to the Datalex court system, as reported by Aysor.am.

The lawsuits challenge two patriarchal decrees issued by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II in 2025 that officially declared the priests defrocked.

Former spiritual pastor of the Talin region, Ter Tade, is demanding that the December 2, 2025, decree announcing his defrocking be declared invalid. He also seeks reinstatement to his former post as regional pastor. The case is assigned to Judge Hovhannes Melkonyan, with the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church listed as the defendant.

Similarly, Ter Aram, former pastor of Hovhannavank, is contesting the legality of Decree No. 1042 dated October 21, 2025, which also declared his defrocking. He is requesting reinstatement to his previous position. His case is assigned to Judge Sima Abovyan.

In a related development, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and a group of bishops and archbishops demanding the resignation of the Catholicos have issued a joint statement calling for reform within the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pashinyan read the statement live on Facebook, after which the supporting clergy signed the document. He also announced the formation of a coordinating council tasked with organizing church reforms, noting that any additions to the council must be approved unanimously.