Defrocked individuals are laymen: they cannot be reinstated by secular decision – clergy of Aragatsotn

A group of clergy from the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church publicly rejected the interim rulings of the Armavir Region Court of First Instance, which effectively compel them to recognize as spiritual pastors two former priests who were defrocked by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The clergy emphasize that the court’s decisions contradict church canons and the constitutional principle of the Church’s self-governance. According to them, defrocked individuals are laymen and cannot regain priestly authority through any secular ruling.

The authors of the statement describe the court’s decision as incompatible with their vows, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion, noting that its implementation is “objectively impossible.”

The clergy further stressed that they will not submit to such coercion, which they regard as interference in the internal life of the Church.