YEREVAN. - Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II defrocked Fr. Abel Manoukian.
From now on the priest will bear his secular name Hrach Manoukian, press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Earlier in May Catholicos of All Armenians suspended priesthood of Abel Manoukian.
The decision came after his refusal to recognize the approved canonic diocese in Switzerland, priest of the Geneva’s St. Hagop church, as well as neglect of the order by Karekin II to come to Holy Etchmiadzin.
