Defrocking of former clergymen Stepan Asatryan, Aramayis Takhmazyan considered Armenian Apostolic Church’s internal matter, court proceedings dismissed

The lawsuits of former clergymen Stepan Asatryan—formerly Father Aram Asatryan—and Aramayis Takhmazyan—formerly Father Tade Takhmazyan—on declaring the Catholicos of All Armenians’ decision on defrocking them invalid not subject to civil trial.

These decisions were made by the court of first instance of Armenia’s Armavir province, and this matter has been considered an internal matter of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Also, the court dismissed the proceedings in these cases and abolished the measures of securing the claim previously applied to ensure the tenure of Asatryan as pastor of the Hovhannavank and Takhmazyan as pastor of the Talin Churches.