The Mother See of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Etchmiadzin), in a statement released today, says it will take all legal means to regain control of the Hovhannavank monastery that it describes as occupied by obstructionist forces.

Last Sunday, defrocked Father Aram Asatryan officiated at a divine liturgy at the monastery that was attended by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan.

Father Asatryan (lay name Stepan) fell afoul of the church following public claims in September alleging that he and other clergy had been coerced by church officials to attend anti-government rallies in 2021.

Asatryan has rejected the church’s decision to defrock him and has refused to hand over the keys to the monastery.

“We consider it necessary to affirm that the actions carried out under the guise of rituals in Hovhannavank under the patronage of the authorities are an abomination, have no spiritual value and are invalid, and that the Hovhannavank church is subject to re-consecration,” the statement reads.