The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the worrying phenomenon that has taken place in Hovhannavank in recent times: the holding of inappropriate events—in this case, a party—on the territory of the monastery, and this disrupts the spiritual and prayerful atmosphere of the monastery and causes concern for the surrounding population, notes the statement released by the Information System of the Mother See.

“This situation is a direct consequence of the authorities’ open patronage and tolerance towards Stepan Asatryan, who was declared defrocked [by the Mother See], which directly violates the laws of the RA [i.e. the Republic of Armenia] and the rights of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

The reality of Hovhannavank [monastery] being occupied, the voluntary illegal act that prevails also offends the pious feelings of believers, violates their rights, misleading pious visitors with invalid rituals and ceremonies.

Considering these phenomena unacceptable, the Mother See once again calls on the relevant state bodies [of Armenia] to refrain from divisive interventions in church life and restore the legal status of all occupied churches,” the aforesaid statement adds.

Earlier, the Ishkhanutyun news agency reported that it was receiving reports from Ohanavan village in Armenia. Local residents provided a video and claim that Stepan Asatryan, who was declared defrocked by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, has turned the territory of Hovhannavank monastery into a “business center.” Accordingly, parties and feasts are held on the territory of the monastery, tents are set up, and instead of spiritual silence, Russian "blatnoy" music—a genre of song that romanticizes the criminal subculture, urban underworld, and prison life—is played there.