The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has stated that defrocked Arman Saroyan cannot represent the Armenian Apostolic Church “from canonical, legal, or moral perspectives”, commenting on a decision by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
According to the statement, the appointment was made without the consent of the Church and is therefore unacceptable and unlawful, also violating Armenian legislation.
“The Armenian Apostolic Church can be represented in any state or other body only with the blessing and authorization of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicos of All Armenians. The defrocked former Bishop Gevorg Saroyan is neither authorized nor able to represent the Church in any canonical, legal, or moral sense.
This step constitutes another encroachment on the autonomy of the Armenian Church and the canonical authority of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
The false information included in the official document — the Prime Minister’s decision — must be removed,” the statement reads.
By a decision of Armenia’s prime minister dated March 27, 2026, Arman Saroyan (former Bishop Gevorg) was appointed as a member of the advisory commission on pardons as a representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Saroyan was dismissed from his position as Primate of the Masis Diocese on January 10. After challenging the decision in court and refusing to comply, he was defrocked by the Catholicos on January 27.
On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos Karekin II, accusing him of obstructing the enforcement of a judicial act related to Saroyan and imposing a travel ban.
