Defrocked priest Stepan Asatryan (formerly Father Aram), who faces two lawsuits from the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), has claimed the legal actions are directed not only against him but also against the people.
The AAC is seeking a court order to force Asatryan to return the keys to the church in Ohanavan village and to vacate the residence assigned to him.
“If the people say I should leave, I will walk out that very minute. But if they decide I should stay, no court can ignore their voice,” Asatryan told Factor.am .
Responding to the demand for the keys, he said they are not in his possession: “I gave the keys to the people. If they can take them from the people, let them try. Even if I wanted to hand them over, the people wouldn’t allow it. Any action against me is an action against the people,” he added.
Regarding the housing dispute, he stated: “It is dishonorable for the Patriarch to evict two minors from their home, and in winter no less.”
He also addressed the ban on entering parts of the Hovhannavank complex, noting that the restriction came just one day after his defrocking, issued in the name of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan.
“They’ve taken us to court, and we must defend ourselves. At the very least, we’ll prepare our defense,” said the former clergyman.
Asked how he intends to defend himself, Asatryan replied, “God will guide me.”
He concluded by confirming he remains at Hovhannavank and had recently performed a baptism there.
The Sunday after his defrocking, Prime Minister Pashinyan and members of the government attended mass at Hovhannavank in support of Asatryan, who led the service. Despite being officially defrocked, he continues to reside at the monastery, conduct services, and perform religious rites. The Aragatsotn Diocese has repeatedly issued statements claiming that Asatryan's actions violate the law.
Separately, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan filed a lawsuit against the AAC, challenging Catholicos Karekin II’s decision to dismiss him as head of the Masis Diocese. The court, presided over by Judicial Council member Judge Edgar Hovhannisyan, reinstated Saroyan temporarily pending the final ruling.
