Father Yesayi Artenyan, Director of the Information Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, addressed reports of pressure on several priests in the Masis Diocese, telling Aysor.am that they now have confirmed cases.
“We’ve sounded the alarm, and the phenomenon is condemnable. We already have facts showing that priests are facing pressure from various individuals, including employees of municipal administrations,” he stated.
Former Masis Diocese head Bishop Gevorg Saroyan is reportedly attempting to intimidate priests who have not joined his anti-Church campaign and who instead recognize Father Ruben Zargaryan, appointed by the Catholicos as Locum Tenens of the diocese.
Father Harutyun Hakobyan, parish priest of St. Hakob Church in Ararat, previously said he had been approached and pressured to support Saroyan. However, he responded: “We follow Church order, not individuals. Our appointment followed ecclesiastical procedure, and only ecclesiastical order can make changes.”
The Masis Diocese released a statement noting that several priests have been contacted by various people, including municipal officials and individuals considered influential or close to the clergy. These individuals reportedly attempted—through friendly suggestions, promises of improved working conditions, threats, or pressure—to push priests into recognizing Saroyan’s leadership.
