Western US Diocese Announces Two Churches and Pastors as Unaffiliated

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church issued a statement on March 26 stating that there are two churches and their pastors that are unaffiliated with the Diocese.

Here is the statement:

“We wish to inform the faithful of our Church of certain uncanonical activities taking place in the cities of Glendale and Upland, about which concerned members of the faithful have repeatedly brought to our attention.

For some time, an entity operating at 332 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale, CA 91203, has presented itself under the name “St. Sargis Armenian Apostolic Church.” This structure has no affiliation whatsoever with the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America and has not been consecrated by the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. Furthermore, the individual presenting himself as the “spiritual pastor,” under the name “Fr. Petros Baghramyan,” is in fact a defrocked former priest. By a Pontifical decree issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on January 20, 2022, his clerical rank was formally removed. The decree explicitly states that he is to be regarded among the laity under his baptismal name, Armen Baghramyan, and from that date forward he is no longer permitted to perform any priestly functions within the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

The authority to ordain and depose clergy has been entrusted to the Church by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 18:18). The Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–7) clearly affirm that the Apostles appointed bishops as overseers to safeguard the integrity of the faith, to preserve proper ecclesiastical order, and to protect the faithful from deception.

Regrettably, Armen Baghramyan (formerly Fr. Petros Baghramyan), in defiance of this decree, continues to present himself as a priest within the structure he established, performing such sacraments as Holy Baptism, Holy Matrimony, and the Divine Liturgy.

We have recently been presented with a document purporting to be a certificate of “Holy Baptism,” issued this year, which lacks the officiant’s signature, contains no certificate number, and bears an invalid seal. Moreover, there is no clarity regarding the source or authenticity of the Holy Chrism (Muron) used in the administration of Baptism and Chrismation, as such sacred elements are not authorized to be received outside the canonical structures of the Church.

A similar situation exists in the city of Upland, where another self-proclaimed structure operates without having been consecrated by the Primate. The individual presenting himself as “Fr. Kevork Halladjian” is not an ordained priest according to the canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church and does not possess valid priestly ordination. This entity identifies itself as “Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church” and is located at 196 S 3rd Ave, Upland, CA 91786.

It is with deep concern that we note many sincere and God-fearing faithful, unaware of these facts, have participated in these purported “sacraments.” Upon learning the truth, some have expressed distress and have turned to the Diocesan Office for guidance.

For this reason, we urge all faithful to remain vigilant and to verify, through the Diocesan Office, the canonical status of any church or clergyman, in order to avoid falling victim to self-proclaimed or defrocked individuals and the danger of spiritual deception.

We also call upon those who may have unknowingly received baptism or been married within the above-mentioned structures to contact the Diocesan Office for proper pastoral guidance and assistance.”