Defrocking of Former Clergymen Stepan Asatryan and Aramayis Takhmazyan Dismissed as Internal Church Matter by Armenian Court

The Armenian Apostolic Church has dismissed civil court proceedings initiated by former clergymen Stepan Asatryan and Aramayis Takhmazyan, who sought to challenge the Catholicos of All Armenians’ decision to defrock them. The court of first instance in Armenia’s Armavir province ruled that the matter is an internal church affair, not subject to civil trial. The court also revoked the measures that had secured the tenure of Asatryan as pastor of the Hovhannavank Church and Takhmazyan as pastor of the Talin Churches.

The legal action, which aimed to invalidate the defrocking decisions, was dismissed without reaching a full trial. The ruling underscores the church’s stance that disciplinary actions against clergy fall under its internal jurisdiction. This decision aligns with broader trends in the Armenian Apostolic Church, where leadership has increasingly emphasized the autonomy of its institutions from external legal scrutiny.

The case has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions about the church’s role in Armenian society. While the court proceedings were dismissed, the broader context includes concerns about the church’s influence and its interactions with government and civil society. Recent reports suggest that the Armenian government has been scrutinizing the church’s activities, particularly in relation to its influence over public affairs and its role in shaping national identity.

The dismissal of the lawsuits reflects a pattern in which the Armenian Apostolic Church has sought to maintain control over its internal affairs. This approach is consistent with the church’s historical emphasis on self-governance and its role as a central institution in Armenian life. However, it has also sparked debates about transparency and accountability within the church’s leadership.

The case of Asatryan and Takhmazyan is part of a larger narrative involving the Armenian Apostolic Church’s relationship with the state. Recent developments, including the extension of pretrial detention for Sedrak Kocharyan, son of former President Robert Kocharyan, have highlighted tensions between the church and government authorities. These tensions are further complicated by the Armenian government’s reported plans to intensify its campaign against the church following the UN Biodiversity Conference.

The Armenian Apostolic Church’s response to these challenges has been to reaffirm its independence and to assert its role as a moral and spiritual leader. This stance is supported by the church’s historical position as a key institution in Armenian culture and identity. However, the church’s increasing isolation from civil society and its perceived entanglement with political figures have raised questions about its ability to maintain its spiritual authority in a changing social landscape.

The dismissal of the lawsuits against Asatryan and Takhmazyan serves as a reminder of the church’s internal mechanisms for discipline and governance. It also highlights the broader challenges facing the Armenian Apostolic Church as it navigates its role in a rapidly evolving national and international context. The church’s ability to balance its spiritual mission with its political and social responsibilities will be a critical test in the years to come.

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