Hovnan Derderian is going to Austria to spy for Pashinyan – Harut Sassounian

Harut Sassounian, editor of the California Courier, and Fr. Serob Azaryan spoke to Alpha News about attempts to disrupt the upcoming Episcopal Assembly in Austria. They also discussed Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, head of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, who had aligned himself with dissident bishops but announced that he would still attend the Assembly. The speakers further addressed US Vice President JD Vance’s upcoming visit to the region.

Fr. Serob Azaryan, commenting on whether Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan might succeed in obstructing the Assembly in Austria, offered a detailed analysis. He noted that the authorities are currently using mechanisms of false justice—initiating fabricated criminal cases against clergy and restricting their ability to leave the country.

“Pashinyan’s struggle is primarily directed against the Armenian Apostolic Church. He has fully aligned his interests with those of Azerbaijan. Baku’s goal is to eliminate any national pillar in Armenia capable of resisting its plans. Now that Artsakh has been surrendered, they are trying to divide the Diaspora and destroy the Church,” Fr. Serob emphasized.

Speaking about the Episcopal Assembly, the priest stressed that even if restrictions are imposed on the Catholicos or other bishops, the gathering will still take place.

Harut Sassounian, meanwhile, addressed Vice President Vance’s upcoming visit to the region. According to him, Vance’s meeting with the Catholicos in Etchmiadzin will send a powerful message to the world.

Regarding Armenian prisoners held in Baku, Sassounian noted that the Armenian authorities not only fail to take steps toward their return, but in previous contacts with US President Trump, Pashinyan deliberately avoided including the issue of prisoners in official memoranda.

Commenting on Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Sassounian said: “He is going to Austria not to participate in the Assembly, but to gather information and spy, so that on the same day he can report to Pashinyan who said what, enabling him to decide against whom to take action.”

Both speakers agreed that the Armenian community in Los Angeles must confront the diocesan leader with a choice: either loyalty to the Mother See or resignation. They called on the community to be more active, to organize protests, and to demonstrate that the Diaspora will not allow the Church to be divided for political gain.