On October 26, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a liturgy at Hovhannavank Monastery, led by Father Aram (Stepan Asatryan), a priest recently defrocked by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and officially barred from conducting any religious services.
During the service, the only citizen who attempted to voice dissent was forcibly silenced — his mouth physically covered — before being removed from the church for shouting that Father Aram had “no right to lead liturgy,” according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Shortly afterward, the defrocked priest praised the Prime Minister from the altar, thanking him for “keeping this mouth open.” He added, “It’s not me speaking. God speaks through our mouths. When our mouths are shut, God's word is silenced. Mr. Prime Minister, your presence keeps this mouth open.” Some in the congregation applauded.
Among those accompanying Pashinyan were his direct subordinates, including the Ministers of Defense and Economy, with the Health Minister also present. Parliamentarians, governors, and municipal council members were also seen across the monastery grounds.
Earlier, the Mother See had declared Father Aram’s liturgies a “spiritually harmful initiative” and accused the Prime Minister of sowing division within the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Aragatsotn Diocese later reported that several clergy had been summoned for questioning as witnesses by the Investigative Committee, prompting protests that law enforcement was attempting to leave the province without priests.
Father Aram rejected the Church’s decision. When he was served a notice to vacate the church, scuffles broke out in the courtyard. The confrontation escalated, with journalists subjected to verbal abuse, including sexual insults.
Under constant police surveillance, Father Aram continued to perform services. On October 26, security measures at Hovhannavank were significantly ramped up. Despite Pashinyan’s assertion that he leads this movement not as Prime Minister but as a Christian citizen, security cordons extended for kilometers. Roads leading to the church were blocked, and police, including the Chief of Police, maintained tight control on-site.
While Pashinyan received public thanks from the defrocked priest, others, including attorney Ara Zohrabyan and cleric Father Shnorhk Paloyan, were prevented from approaching the monastery. Father Paloyan, seeking to pray, was turned away, asking, “Are prayers banned now, too?”
The Prime Minister left under applause of his suporters without taking questions, as security personnel blocked journalists.
Later, another incident occurred: a citizen grabbed the Gospel from Father Aram, insisting he had no right to hold it. A clergyman responded with street language: “Move on, get out of here…”
In a morning Facebook video, Pashinyan called the liturgy the “start of the practical phase in liberating the Mother See.” He did not detail future actions but confirmed he would return to Hovhannavank on November 2.
“Today was a day to kneel before our Lord Jesus Christ and the altar of the Armenian Apostolic Church to ask forgiveness,” he said. “The liberation agenda of the Holy Etchmiadzin is a renewal agenda, a spiritual renewal for the Church and its followers. I speak of myself first and foremost.”
Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan called the liturgy “the most typical practical step,” noting tens of thousands attended. He suggested such a turnout justified “cleansing the Church of blasphemers.”
When asked about the number of ruling party members present, the deputy chairman of Civil Contract replied, “Don’t we have the right to attend liturgy and receive Communion?”
Ruling party mayors were also present. Talin’s mayor posted that he attended with local residents.
On the same day, during a liturgy at the Mother See, Father Aram’s brother, Deacon Anushavan Asatryan, joined the Catholicos’ procession. According to media reports, he criticized his brother’s actions as unacceptable.
