Today, October 23, a tense situation arose at Hovhannavank, as the defrocked priest Ter Aram (Stepan Asatryan) refused to hand over the church keys to the police officers who had arrived at the site. Police officers and local residents were also present.

At one point, one of the residents pushed a journalist-cameraman who was filming, saying, “Get out of the church.” The situation became tense but was quickly calmed by those present.

It should be noted that the clergy had brought an official letter to deliver to Stepan Asatryan. He responded: “I have received the notice, but I do not accept my defrocking and I am not handing over the keys. I have received a letter from Arshak Srbazani, I responded, and now I am waiting for his reply. We have received it, we do not accept it, and we have no obligations. Whoever issued this, take it back to them. I do not respect this institution. If you have finished, leave.”

When asked by the journalist whether he was threatening a consecrated priest, Asatryan replied: “I am also consecrated; who has taken my consecration? The Catholicos cannot have a wife and child. I have photos, I have a place to live. The Catholicos cannot live a married life. The Catholicos is married and has children. A defrocked Catholicos cannot defrock me.”

After that, he entered the church and closed the door.

Those gathered outside urged journalists not to interfere, as a wedding ceremony was taking place inside: “Do not disturb, wait, the wedding ceremony will finish, then do whatever you want.”

It is noted that Stepan Asatryan has announced he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Hovhannavank on Sunday. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also announced that he will attend the service.